Funnest Fish to Catch In Newport Oregon

Are you new to Newport, have already been here a few times, or are a proud local of the city? Whatever the case may be, you must already know that the area is one of the most popular in the state for the many fishing opportunities! This probably has you wondering about the funnest fish to catch in Newport Oregon.

Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. Read on as we list down the different fish you can catch in the city!

 

Funnest Fish to Catch In Newport Oregon

Newport is filled with so many fish one can catch. Here are some of the funnest fish to catch in Newport Oregon:

Trout

Why target trout? They aren’t considered the top gamefish in the state for nothing! Wherever you are in Oregon, you’ll likely find the native population of trout species.

Not only that, but the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife would stock over 5 million trout in the area yearly to ensure every angler can have fun catching these fish. That’s why you’ll almost always catch quality trout in Newport.

What’s great is that the state is open for trout fishing all year round, though they will have rules and restrictions to avoid. You can only catch up to two trout daily and they must measure at least 10 inches long but not over 13 inches.

Steelhead

Steelhead, also known as sea-run rainbow trout, is another popular species in Oregon. In fact, they are the largest race in the state! These fish are popular for the line-peeling runs and intense fight they give as you reel one in, making it a fun challenge.

During their 1^st or 2^nd year, steelhead would migrate to the ocean and then return for spawning later on. Steelhead living in the ocean would have a more silver color and grow larger compared to those that do not leave the freshwater. Steelhead returning to freshwater would turn from silver to dark olive, though they still have silvery-white undersides and speckled bodies with a pinkish or reddish stripe on the side.

The appearance of the steelhead will depend on the season. Summer-run fish would be found in freshwater from May to October as they require a few months to mature and spawn. Winter-run fish would head back to fresh water from November to April.

Salmon

Everyone knows salmon! This is one of the more popular species in Newport, and they are fun to catch because of the delicious meat they have when you bring them home. There are numerous species you can find, though some may be less abundant than others.

Here are the salmon species you can find when fishing in Newport, Oregon:

• Pink salmon
• Kokanee salmon
• Coho salmon
• Chum salmon
• Chinook salmon
• Sockeye salmon

All these salmon would have different appearances, fishing seasons, and even taste!

Bass

Just like salmon, there are many types of bass in Newport. They are also a fun fish to catch because of their abundance, making them a suitable target for beginners.

Here are the species you can come across as you fish for bass:

• Striped bass
• Smallmouth bass
• Largemouth bass
• Hybrid bass

Halibut

Halibut is another excellent catch in Newport, especially because of the delicious meat! Beginners can enjoy catching halibut as they simply need slow-moving and yummy-looking bait. That said, halibut have sharp teeth, so watch out for your fishing line.

Even if halibut are slow and considered easy to catch, they come at such exciting sizes, with the largest of the species weighing 67 pounds in Newport.

 

Cabezon

Cabezon is considered an “ugly” fish, but wait until you get to taste the meat! Many people call this the “lobster” fish because of the sweet white meat it has, making it a fun and must-have catch.

This is a bottom fish you can catch on the Oregon coast, commonly found in reefs with sea bass, and lingcod, among other bottom fish. Like other species, the ODFW has issues with restrictions on Cabezon. You can only catch one per day that measures at least 16 inches. That catch will go to your five fish general marine species daily bag limit count.

 

Sturgeon

Among the different sturgeon species, white sturgeon are the largest gamefish in the state. It’s also considered one of the largest freshwater fish worldwide! You can catch and release a sturgeon measuring 10 feet long, sometimes even longer, with some people claiming they’ve caught and released sturgeon measuring 20 feet.

When in Newport, you’ll want to target sturgeon from May to July. While they have no closed season, the low season is from March to April and September to October.

 

Tuna

Tuna is another fun fish to catch because these are fast-moving fish, giving you nonstop action and intense fights if you manage to reel one in.

The best months to go out to the waters for tuna are from July to September. Anglers will be impressed with the power of tuna as they hit trolled jigs. They will also make massive line peeling runs because, by the time you think you see some color on the boat after a hard battle, that tuna will be bound to make another round with your reel screaming again.

It’s not for the faint of heart, but seasoned anglers will definitely enjoy the thrill and the delicious meat they can take home.

 

Wrapping It Up

No matter your age or skill level, you’ll always have an enjoyable fishing trip in Newport. Hopefully, this article on the funnest fish to catch in Newport Oregon gave you an idea of what you should target on your next trip.

If you’re still looking for a fishing charter or guide to take you around Newport’s waters to catch any of the fish above, contact us now! We can connect you with reputable contacts for a memorable trip.