The Best Times to Go Fishing in Newport, Oregon

Oregon Coast is home to some of the best fishing destinations on the West Coast, where you can find a ton of salmon, trout, halibut, and crabs to catch. One of the best cities to go to is Newport, which isn’t only home to great fishing action, but beautiful sights and a vast history to appreciate.

Don’t head to Newport to book a charter just yet though! You first need to know when to go fishing in Newport, Oregon.

Take a look at our quick guide on the best times to go fishing in Newport, Oregon!

 

The Best Times to Go Fishing in Newport, Oregon

In a nutshell, the best times to fish in Newport will depend on your targeted species. If you’re trying to catch Chinook, Coho, Sockeye Salmon, or even Flounder and Lingcod, we recommend fishing from June to September. But if you’re eyeing chum salmon fishing adventures, schedule your trip from October to December!

We have our guide on the best times to go fishing in Newport, Oregon based on the species you’d like to catch. But you may also be wondering about the exact time of day you should be fishing on the Oregon Coast. 

The fishing is usually good throughout the day, but the best has got to be the morning when the sun is low and the gamefish are more active. After all, they won’t have to deal with the sun just yet. It’s also a benefit for you, as you won’t be under the harsh sun!

This might leave you a bit surprised, because who would have thought even something like the time of day can affect your chances of getting a bite? Well, that’s because there are various factors to consider, including:

 

Tidal Impacts

Did you know that tidal impacts have a tremendous effect on your chances of success on your fishing trip? We recommend fishing just before or after high tide because the moving water will move baitfish around, which then makes gamefish more active. 

During high tide, fishing is excellent since the waters are deeper and stabler. There aren’t a lot of currents to drift bait away from fish, and deeper water will lessen the need to go farther offshore to find your target species.

 

Storm Impact

The weather above water is also a huge factor to consider when timing your fishing trip. Oregon is a coastal state so you can expect a ton of rain. If you plan to go ocean fishing, some storms get so bad that they can actually prevent you from fishing.

Most storms are usually just rainstorms, which might make fish less active. But even then, it’s still possible to catch fish.

If you plan on fishing in the streams, rain can make water very muddy, so the streams won’t be completely clear for a few days or a week. As a result, fish won’t be able to see your bait easily. Don’t let that hinder you from fishing, though. You can opt to use bait with a lot of contrast to watercolor instead. 

Fishing in lakes is quite different, though. It would be tougher during a storm, with the fish scattering and moving to deeper waters. If that’s the case, avoid fishing during storms! But as long as the storm doesn’t look too bad, you can still catch a lot of fish in lakes. 

 

Should You Go Night Fishing?

We mentioned that the best time to go fishing in Newport, Oregon is in the morning. How about night fishing?

Yes, this is also a great time! Night fishing is actually pretty popular, especially when targeting species like swordfish or tuna. You can do this for other species as well, but it isn’t for everyone. You won’t be able to fish for salmon or trout at night but you can explore fishing for other species.

For example, rockfish and lingcod fishing are good at night! If there’s a tide you’d like to fish during that’s only available at night, then you’ll likely have a better time fishing after dark than daytime.

Night fishing for deep water fish is also effective since you can attach more tackles to the line without the fish noticing. Plus, it’s a whole new experience and adventure. Many fishing charters offer night fishing, so we recommend doing it at least once in your fishing journey.

 

The Best Seasons to Book a Charter          

Planning to book a fishing charter? Great choice, because you get to learn a lot about fishing from the charter captain and crew. Not to mention, you’ve already got everything prepared for so you won’t have to do anything but prepare yourself and a positive attitude out in the water!

But the question is: When should you be booking the fishing charter? That depends!

The best season will ultimately depend on the species you are targeting. If you want to catch salmon, aim for scheduling your trip during the runs in the fall. 

While you can go ocean fishing during fall as well, you’ll want to go during early summer when you can get the most halibut, lingcod, and rockfish. 

Another factor you must consider is how busy charters can get, which is why it’s important to book in advance. Fishing charters are usually very busy during summer and fall, so grab the chance to book a date before it’s too late.

 

Wrapping It Up

There are many things to consider as you plan your ultimate fishing trip on Oregon Coast. One of them is scheduling your trip appropriately. While the best times to go fishing in Newport depends on your individual preferences, we always recommend speaking with a local angler or charter captain for further advice. 

Speaking of charter captains, don’t forget to also book a fishing charter to make your trip more memorable and informative! Contact us now so we can connect you with reputable charter captains and guides ready to answer your questions.