Lincoln City, OR. – Crabbing and clamming are traditional ocean activities for the whole family. Although crabbing is done commercially in the ocean, primarily during the winter, those seeking only a few can pursue them at any time of the year---and you do not have to get on the ocean to do it. Siletz Bay and Siletz River at the south edge of Lincoln City are prime spots for crabbing. The best time of day is an hour or two before or after low tide when the creatures are active and water currents disturb the crab gear least. All you need is a crab ring, net, license, bait, and a measuring gauge. Whether you do it from a public dock, the shore, or from a boat the process is the same: tie bait (fish carcasses, turkey, or chicken) to the pot, toss it in the water, and wait for about 15 minutes; then pull the pot up quickly and steadily to keep your crab from escaping. Since each person can harvest only 12 male Dungeness crabs larger than 5-3/4" inches (14.6 cm), check the size with the gauge. But be careful to grab the crab from the rear center; their pinchers can cut your skin badly. All you need now is someone willing to clean and cook them.

The Taft Dock on SW 51st is a popular spot. And at Eleanor’s Undertow just across the street or Tiki’s just down the block, you can rent the equipment and bait you need and get your license. Or if you want to mix the experience with a trip down Siletz River, consider a crabbing special at Coyote Rock Resort and Marina.

Clamming is as simple as crabbing and equally satisfying. Most of the clams found in this area are either the smaller butter clams or larger razor clams. One way to find them is to look for dimples or holes in the sand, then place your shovel a few inches (centimeters) farther than the hole, in the direction of the ocean, and pull back, scooping the sand away to expose the clam. Other folks have found more success by waiting until low tide and seeking out pockets near rocky outcroppings. Those pockets frequently contain a number of clams, all of which can be harvested in a shovel scoop or two. Each person is allowed to harvest 20 butter clams and 15 razor clams per day. A license and a good recipe are required.

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Lincoln City, located on the central Oregon Coast, is a scenic two-hour drive from the Portland International Airport through Oregon's premium wine country. For free visitor information, contact the Lincoln City Visitor and Convention Bureau at (800) 452-2151, (541) 996-1274, FAX (541) 994-2408, visit our website at www.oregoncoast.org or email us at events@lincolncity.org. The Visitor Center, located at 801 SW Highway 101, is open 24 hours, seven days a week.

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