For Immediate Release

Date: July 22, 2005

Come Play On Oregon's Waterways

Summertime is here and families are looking for fun summer activities. Oregon’s 6,150 lakes and 111,619 miles of river shorelines will provide hours of boating enjoyment, according to the Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB). Yaquina Bay and the Newberg pool of the Willamette River are ideal waterways for family outings, relaxation and entertainment.

Yaquina Bay, located in Newport, provides access to bottom fish, salmon and Dungeness crab. Yaquina Bay is home to the Port of Newport Marina and Embarcadero Marina. The Port of Newport offers over four hundred recreational moorage slips, hookups for RV sites and Newport’s only launch ramp. A brand-new ramp opened at the Southbeach Marina this season. Embarcadero Marina also provides a boat moorage. Boaters enjoy camping, sailing, hiking, fishing and whale watching while visiting Yaquina Bay. Anglers without boats can use one of several fishing guides available in the bay. Travelers enjoy sightseeing tours at the historic Newport bay front, and visiting the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse.

Rogers Landing is a popular access point for boaters on the Willamette River. Located near Newberg, Rogers Landing is a convenient location for boaters in the metro area. The three-lane boat launch allows easy access into the water, and there’s plenty of parking. Rogers Landing is popular with waterskiers, canoers and kayakers. This portion of the Willamette River also attracts sturgeon fishermen. Nature lovers can observe blue heron, osprey, kingfishers and migrating geese. Rogers Landing was renovated in late 2002 through a grant from the OSMB. This renovation improved the quality of the boat ramp and amenities for Willamette River boaters.

For more information on boating in Yaquina Bay and the Willamette River, visit www.boatoregon.com. For information regarding fishing conditions, please visit www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/. The OSMB consists of five members appointed by the Governor. The Board sets state boating policy and has the authority to enact rules for boat operation. The agency provides boaters with access facilities, titling and registration services, boating safety and education, and marine law enforcement.

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