Free Crabbing Weekend and Free Clam Digging Days?

We are asking ODFW to expand the concept of Free Fishing Weekend.  Free Fishing Weekend occurs on the Saturday and Sunday immediately following the first Monday in the month of June.  No licenses or tags are required for taking fish, crabs and clams during the weekend.  However the tides in Oregon’s bays during Free Fishing Weekend may limit the ability to crab or dig clams successfully.  Crabbing is best during the series of Neap Tides and clam digging is best during the series of Spring Tides.

We recommend several options to improve the opportunity for crabbing and clam digging allowed under the regulations governing Free Fishing Weekend. First, we could expand the number of days a license and tags are not required to 7 day days.  A Free Fishing Week would provide the time necessary for families to fish, crab or dig clams and would be a terrific boost for tourism by drawing people from all over the country to Oregon.  Or, we recommend separating the three activities into a Free Fishing Weekend, Free Crabbing Weekend and Free Clam Digging Days consisting of separate two day events.  Doing so would provide the opportunity to schedule those activities at the time when the tides are at the Neap or Spring phase of the tidal cycle.    Having an individual period for a Free Crabbing Weekend and Free Clam Digging Days would provide Coastal Communities the opportunity to promote the benefits of crabbing or digging clams in the local communities while providing additional recreational opportunity for families.  It would be great if ODFW could host crabbing and clam digging clinics in Oregon’s Bay during Free Crabbing Weekend and Free Clam Digging Days.   Bill Lackner for the Clam Diggers Association of Oregon.