Live Bait in Oregon

Mark Vickers · 10-04-2003, 08:37 AM

I've seen several posts indicating that TUNA! fishing with live bait in Oregon is a no-no (California and Washington allow it). I've known for years that it is against the law in freshwater, and had thus resigned my built-in livewell as a handy additional storage spot.

In looking through the 2003 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations, it may appear that this is wrong. It states:

It is unlawful to transport live fish between bodies of water.

Live fish may not be used or held for use as bait, except live non-game fish may be used in the ocean, bays and tidewaters when taken from the waterbody in which they will be used.

So... It appears that it would be legal to jig up a bunch of herring in Yaquina Bay, throw 'em in the livewell, drive out to the TUNA! grounds and use them on a live bait hook.

Is this not right?

Sea Jypzee · 10-04-2003, 08:47 AM

Yes, it would be legal to do this. The issue would be getting enough of them. I'm not sure how long they'll survive in the live-well. I've got a live well on the SJ and have thought of giving this a try. My problem would be making a run down to newport.