Newport is best known for its abundance of coho salmon, but chum and chinook salmon are common here as well. This article is your one-stop post if you’re looking for information on catching salmon in Newport, Oregon.

It’ll tackle things such as the salmon types prevalent in Oregon and their behavior, the best salmon fishing spots in Newport, the most suitable baits for catching salmon, salmon season and regulations in Oregon, and ideas on cooking salmon.

Anglers seeking salmon in Oregon are often after its nutritious and delicious meat. However, you may find that coho salmon does offer excellent game, while chinook salmon gives you a good session, and chum salmon fights in an average way.

Catching Salmon in Newport, Oregon

Three salmon species reign over Newport’s waters, and they can be found on similar fishing spots. However, their game quality differs from one another, and so do their meal value.

Coho Salmon

Coho salmon in Newport are tough fighters. They’re also known as silver salmon. 

They weigh a mere average of 2 to 6 pounds, which is smaller than chinook salmon. However, they’re quite a challenge to catch. This sometimes dissuades less experienced anglers from fishing for them. They trash, pull, and use all their force when hooked, so you need to be prepared to hold the fort when catching coho salmon.

To differentiate coho salmon from other salmon, check their mouths. Coho salmon feature black mouths and white gums. Similarly, they boast a maroon kype and a dark back.

Chinook Salmon

Chinook salmon is the king among salmon. They weigh an average of 10 to 50 pounds, but they can be as heavy as 100 pounds or more. They can also grow up to 5 feet long.

Hence, fishing enthusiasts often have chinook salmon in their list of fish to catch, especially if they’re in Newport, Oregon. If you’re lucky enough to catch one of these beasts, you’ll enjoy a good fight and an excellent meal afterward. 

The best thing about chinook salmon is that they’re abundant in Newport’s waters, so there’s plenty for everyone wherever they choose to fish. To identify chinook, of course, mind its size. Additionally, check its mouth for a black hue and black gums.

Chum Salmon

Lastly, chum salmon falls the lowest on most anglers’ favorite lists. They don’t taste that good for a salmon, and they barely fight when hooked. As a result, chum salmon are actually called pests rather than prizes within the angling community.

Chum salmon in Newport weigh 4 to 10 pounds and feature a white mouth and white gums. They’re green-hued with purple stripes, and the males boast big teeth.

The only positive thing about chum salmon is that their roe is more delicious and enormous compared to the others.

Best Salmon Fishing Spots in Newport

Generally, the best salmon fishing spots in Newport, Oregon are anywhere within lakes, rivers, and inshore and nearshore places. However, if you want specific areas to fish in, it’s wise to visit Depoe Bay or Yaquina Bay.

Featuring only 6 acres of water, Depoe Bay is known as the world’s smallest harbor. However, don’t let that knowledge stop you. This port is abundant with plenty of different fish.

It houses wonderful reefs perfectly suitable for bottomfishing lingcod and rockfish, and fish such as tuna, halibut, and salmon reside there as well. At present, Depoe Bay catch records reach approximately 5,000 for coho salmon and 1,000 to 3,000 for chinook salmon yearly.

Meanwhile, Yaquina Bay suits you best if you’re after some offshore fishing sessions and chinook salmon. At present, the largest salmon catch record exceeds 12,000 for coho and 7,000 for chinook. This happened in 2003 and 2004.

Besides salmon, you can catch tuna, lingcod, and rockfish in Yaquina Bay. 

 

Best Baits for Salmon in Newport

For any salmon species, salmon roe acts as the best bait. Alternatively, you can opt for anchovies, sardines, herring, and sand shrimp. Meanwhile, if you’re after chinook salmon, you’ll do best if you use cured roe or red and green-colored plugs and lures. 

Common Techniques for Salmon Fishing

 Fly fishing, spinning, drift fishing, and trolling work best when catching salmon in Newport, Oregon.

Salmon Season in Newport, Oregon

In general, chum salmon fishing yields great results from August to September and July to October. Meanwhile, catching coho salmon in Newport is best when done from July to September, June, and October to November. Lastly, chinook salmon fishing generates successful trips from April to September and March to October.

For more information, check out Take Me Fishing’s post about salmon fishing in Oregon.

 

Salmon Fishing Regulations in Oregon

You’re limited to bagging two salmon per person per day. Coho salmon must be at least 16 inches long, while chinook needs a length of 24 inches, and chum possesses no minimum length requirement.

Cooking Newport Salmon

Unlike other fish, you can prepare salmon in plenty of ways. This includes filleting it, canning it, turning it into a patty, smoking it, or consuming it raw in sushi. 

 

Hiring a Fishing Charter for Salmon Fishing

When you hire a fishing charter like Newport Salmon Charters, you’re guaranteeing a safe, memorable, and successful fishing trip for you and your companions. Charters provide you with the best fishing gear, boat, and guides, so you don’t have to worry about anything while fishing.

Other Fish You Can Catch in Newport

Besides salmon, Newport features wonderful sea creatures like cabezon, Dungeness crab, halibut, lingcod, and sea bass. Follow the links to each fish to learn more about them or visit our blog for more handy guides on catching fish in Newport, Oregon.