Species guide · Oregon

Kelp greenling fishing in Oregon

Hexagrammos decagrammus, a nearshore species also called greenling, sea trout and rock trout. Listed for the Pacific Northwest region. Shoulder season, about 1 more week.

Right now it scores best in Coastal waters from Cape Foulweather to Florence OR out 10 nm at 68, one of 5 Oregon bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.

Season now

Shoulder season

Where it's scoring now All Oregon waters

Season by month

From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.

Pacific Northwest

Shoulder season, about 1 more week

Jan: Shoulder season
Feb: Shoulder season
Mar: Shoulder season
Apr: Shoulder season
May: Shoulder season
Jun: Shoulder season
Jul: Shoulder season
Aug: Shoulder season
Sep: Shoulder season
Oct: Peak season
Nov: Peak season
Dec: Shoulder season

Peak: Oct to Nov. In season (shoulder or peak): all year.

Research notes, Pacific Northwest region

ODFW: spawning runs July to January with most eggs laid in the fall, and October and November are the best months for larger mature greenling, followed by spring. Common from jetties, rocky shores and estuary mouths.

Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.

Where it's scoring now · 5

Oregon bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's kelp greenling score this hour.

68Great

Coastal waters from Cape Foulweather to Florence OR out 10 nm

Best window today 11 AM-1 PM (68) · Best day Fri, Oct 2 at 6 PM (76) · 17 named spots

67Great

Coastal waters from Cape Falcon to Cape Foulweather OR out 10 nm

Best window today 11 AM-1 PM (67) · Best day Sat, Oct 3 at 7 AM (78) · 32 named spots

66Great

Coastal waters from Florence to Cape Blanco OR out 10 nm

Best window today 11 AM-1 PM (66) · Best day Sat, Oct 3 at 7 AM (76) · 9 named spots

65Great

Coastal waters from Cape Blanco OR to Pt. St. George CA out 10 nm

Best window today 11 AM-12 PM (65) · Best day Mon, Sep 28 at 9 AM (72) · 18 named spots

60Good

Columbia River Bar

Best window today 11 AM-2 PM (60) · Best day Sat, Oct 3 at 7 AM (75) · 71 named spots

How and where it feeds

Water temperature: Feeds from 44°F to 62°F, best between 48°F and 56°F.
Water depth: 3 to 80 ft of water.
Structure: Kelp, jetty, reef, point and estuary, in that order of preference.
Tide and current: Prefers incoming tide and high tide, with light current.Jetty and rocky-shore anglers generally do best as the incoming tide floods the rocks. Tide guidance is guide consensus; ODFW's species sheet only advises starting in the morning and fishing rocky reef areas.
Light: Some lift around dawn and dusk.
Pressure: Little response to pressure changes.
Wind and sea limits: 18 kt of wind and 5 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.

Tackle and technique

Kelp greenling are solitary bottom fish of rocky shores, jetties and kelp beds, usually in water shallower than 60 feet. Use a small number 4 to 6 hook with sand shrimp or marine worms, or a small lead-head grub, dropped to the bottom and reeled up slightly. Larger fish show in October and November when they spawn close to shore, and mornings tend to fish best.

Methods: bottom fishing from jetties and rocky shore, light jigging, kayak fishing, fly fishing
Lures: small lead-head jigs with grubs, small swimbaits, shrimp flies
Bait: sand shrimp, marine worms, mussels, clam necks, squid

Regulations

ODFW saltwater regulations Buy a Oregon fishing license License types

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with ODFW Sep 21, 2026.

No reviewed kelp greenling rule for Oregon is on file yet. Check with ODFW before you keep one.