Your Complete Guide to Fishing Bandon, Oregon
Where Sea Stacks Meet the Coquille River
Bandon is one of the most visually striking towns on the Oregon coast. Massive sea stacks and rock formations dot the shoreline, creating a dramatic backdrop for fishing the nearshore waters and the Coquille River estuary. Beyond the scenery, Bandon offers a well-rounded fishery that includes salmon runs in the Coquille, productive reefs for rockfish and lingcod, outstanding Dungeness crabbing, and some of the best surfperch beaches on the south coast.
Seasonal Fishing Guide
Spring (March through May)
Lingcod season reopens and the nearshore reefs south of Bandon produce quality lings from the start. Spring Chinook begin entering the Coquille River by April, though the Coquille's spring run is smaller than its fall counterpart. Rockfish are available on the reefs when sea conditions allow. Surfperch fishing picks up significantly along the beaches between Bandon and the Coquille jetties as fish move into the surf zone for their spring spawning season. This is one of the best times for shore-based anglers.
Summer (June through August)
Summer brings the ocean salmon season, with Chinook and coho available to trolling boats working the waters offshore. Most Bandon anglers access the ocean fishery through charter boats based at the Port of Bandon. Bottom fishing for rockfish and lingcod is excellent throughout summer. Crabbing in the lower Coquille River and the bay area produces consistently. The long days and generally calmer seas make summer the most versatile season for fishing the Bandon area.
Fall (September through November)
The fall Chinook and coho run on the Coquille River is Bandon's flagship fishery. Fish begin entering the river in September, with the peak typically occurring from late September through October. Bank anglers work the popular holes along the river from the jetties upstream, while drift boats and sleds cover more water in the tidal section. Dungeness crab are at their best in the bay during fall. Lingcod fishing peaks on the nearshore reefs as fish prepare for winter spawning.
Winter (December through February)
Winter steelhead enter the Coquille system and provide sport for river anglers through February. Dungeness crab season is in full production, with both recreational bay crabbing and ocean crabbing available. Surfperch are caught between storms along the more protected beach stretches. Rockfish can be targeted on calm-weather days, though winter storms limit ocean access significantly.
Bandon Fishing Calendar
| Season | Top Species | Best Areas | Key Techniques |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Lingcod, surfperch, Chinook | Nearshore reefs, beaches, Coquille River | Jigging, sand shrimp, trolling |
| Summer | Chinook, coho, rockfish, crab | Offshore, reefs, bay | Trolling herring, bottom fishing, crab pots |
| Fall | Chinook, coho, lingcod, crab | Coquille River, reefs, bay | Bobber and eggs, jigging, crab rings |
| Winter | Steelhead, crab, surfperch | Coquille River, bay, beaches | Drift fishing, crab pots, surf rigs |
The Coquille River Fishery
The Coquille River is a mid-sized coastal stream that runs through the dairy country of southern Coos County before emptying into the ocean at Bandon. The tidal section extends approximately 20 miles upstream and provides the primary salmon fishing water during the fall run. Popular bank access points include Bullards Beach State Park (near the north jetty), Rocky Point, Riverton, and numerous pullouts along Highway 42S. Drift boats can launch at Bullards Beach or Riverton and float downstream through productive salmon holding water.
"Bandon is special because the Coquille gives you real river salmon fishing just steps from a small-town downtown. You can hook a 25-pound Chinook in the morning, grab a cranberry scone at the bakery, and be pulling crab pots by afternoon. That's a hard combination to beat." — Bandon area guide
Surfperch Beaches
The beaches surrounding Bandon are exceptional for surfperch. The stretch of sand between the Coquille River south jetty and Face Rock produces reliable catches of redtail surfperch from March through October. The rocky transitions near the sea stacks create natural feeding lanes where surfperch concentrate. Incoming tides with moderate surf produce the best conditions. Sand shrimp, clam necks, and Berkley Gulp! baits all work well.
Charter and Access Information
The Port of Bandon operates a marina and boat ramp on the Coquille River near the jetties. A small charter fleet offers ocean bottom fishing, salmon trolling, and crab trips. The smaller fleet means fewer options than larger ports like Coos Bay (25 miles north), so booking in advance is essential during peak season. For bank anglers, Bullards Beach State Park provides excellent access to both the jetty and the river.
Regulations
- Salmon: Coquille River-specific regulations including bag limits, fin-clip requirements, and area closures — check ODFW
- Lingcod: 3 per day, 22-inch minimum, seasonal closures during spawning
- Rockfish: Marine zone aggregate bag limits with species-specific sub-limits
- Crab: 12 male Dungeness per day in the bay (5.75-inch minimum carapace width)
- Surfperch: Generous daily limits under ODFW ocean regulations
Beyond Fishing
Bandon offers a charming Old Town district with galleries, restaurants, and the famous Cranberry Sweets candy shop. The town is also home to the world-renowned Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, making it an excellent destination for groups with golfers and anglers alike. Face Rock viewpoint and Coquille Point provide stunning coastal scenery for non-fishing days.