Post by Admin on Jun 3, 2015 10:33:52 GMT
The recreational opportunities listed on the webpage for Tillamook Bay are brought to you by www.clamdigging.info for the benefit of the members of the Clam Digging and Crabbing Community.
Tillamook Bay is Oregon's premier fishing bay. The salmon fishing is legendary and the fishing for rockfish off of the north jetty is the most productive for any of Oregon's bays. Click on either image 2 time to enlarge the view of the image. The Chart is out of date and not intended for navigational purposes.
Crossing the Bar:
Crabbing or fishing in Tillamook Bay and in the jetty channel or in the open ocean requires seaworthy boats and experienced skippers because the Tillamook bar is one of the most dangerous to cross. More than one fisherman has lost his life while trying to cross the bar on an outgoing tide. Seaworthy boats are required for safe boating inside the bay to deal with large wind generated waves. Call the Coast Guard at 1-360-642-3565 for a report of local bar conditions and the extended marine forecast. The Coast Guard also broadcasts bar conditions on VHF channels 16 and 22A. The USCG are heavy users of the Marine VHF Channels; Channel 16 is reserved for distress, safety and calling, while channel 22A is utilized for special warnings, Marine Safety and other announcements.
Click on the Oregon State Marine Board and click on Forms Library Scroll down to Publication for download (Many publications no longer in print). Click on Tillamook Bay Bar Hazards The interactive PDF file web page describes the navigational hazards that boaters encounter when crossing the Tillamook Bay Bar.
Bar area. The entire area between the beach and the 20-foot curve is bar area and breaks on the ebbing tide. The water runs out from four to six knots on the average and is very strong. Boaters proceeding out should stop in the channel east of the seaward end of the breakwater and carefully evaluate the bar. If you decide to cross, proceed out - but do not attempt to turn around if the bar is breaking.
North jetty. About 100 yards of the outer end of the north jetty is submerged. This area and the portion of the channel just south of it are extremely dangerous. Avoid the sunken jetty and use caution in the channel south of it.
Middle grounds. Shoaling makes this area unpredictable and hazardous; it should be avoided.
South jetty. About 100 yards of the outer end of the south jetty is submerged. Use caution and avoid the sunken jetty when entering or exiting.
Tillamook Bay channel lies just south of the north jetty. Navigate with extreme caution. This channel changes constantly because of continuous natural silting and scouring. Obtain up-to-date information on channel conditions from the Coast Guard or other authoritative local sources. Do not rely on the range markers without first inquiring whether they mark the present channel location.
NOAA's Bar Observation Website for Oregon's Bays. Check the NOAA Bar Observations website for updated closures and restrictions.
I took the video clip of the Salmon Fishing opportunity in Tillamook Bay to provide you with the idea of what going on at the Ghost Hole and the Bar View Jetty. I was lucky enough to catch some footage of one angler landing a salmon off of the Bar View Jetty.
Crabbing and fishing Report for 04/18 Local Crabbers Report: Crabbing in the bay has been has been fair during the sunny days and in the ocean when ocean conditions permit. Crabbers are reminded to pick up their gear prior to the outgoing tide to avoid unsafe tidal conditions. Jeff reports. Crabbing is best on the incoming tide. Boaters should avoid crabbing during the outgoing tide.
Fishing for Chinook salmon in the bay has been ............. Garibaldi Marina goes on winter hours from Friday through Sunday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. Garibaldi Marina usually resumes summer hours on 03/01. Check with Jeff or his crew to the updated closing schedule.
Last Fall Jeff's crew tagged both halibut and salmon last Tuesday. Historically Chinook salmon enter Tillamook bay into December. Currently the Garibaldi Marina is operating on Summer hours open seven days a week from 7:00am to 4:00pm.
The Garibaldi Marina is a full service marina offering a large array of products and services. Jeff reminds everyone to use caution when boating in the bay during the high velocity of clam tides. The Garibaldi Marina at 503 322 3312 is operating on Summer hours.
The diversity of Tillamook Bay provides the angler with the opportunity to plan combination trips. Set out crab pots in the early morning before daylight and fish for Chinook salmon during a high incoming tide in the lower tidal reach of the bay, or dig for clams and pump for sand shrimp in the lower bay during an outgoing minus tide and fish for perch on the incoming tide. Being prepared to make the most of your opportunities can turn an ordinary outing into an exceptional one. New to the Tillamook Bay salmon scene? We suggest hiring a guide to show you the ropes. Jeff at Garibaldi Marina is a great source of information and loves to talk fishing, crabbing or clam digging.
The Brad Dawson tidewater handicap access facility is an example of just how recreational friendly Tillamook Bay is. It is handicapped accessible and is located on the Netarts Highway at the confluence of the Tillamook River and South Fork of the Trask River and provides the disabled the opportunity to fish for salmon and sturgeon.
INFORMATION REPORTS NUMBER 2008-01 Oregon North Coast Spring Chinook Stock Assessment – 2005-06
Information Report 98-4. Nickelson, T.E. 1998. A habitat-based assessment of coho salmon production potential and spawner escapement needs for Oregon coastal streams.
Information Report 88-1 Chinook Populations in Oregon Coastal River Basins. Description of Life Histories and Assessment of Recent Trends in Run Strengths
Chinook salmon return to Tillamook Bay during the spring, fall and in winter. The age class of the returning Chinook is usually comprised of high percentage of 5 year old fish followed by 4 year old and larger 6 year old fish. Spring Chinook salmon begin returning to Tillamook Bay in May peaking in late May into early June but only fin clipped fish may be retained. The highest number of spring Chinook are returning to the Trask and Wilson Rivers respectively with a smaller number straying into the Kilchis and Tillamook Rivers. Fish spring Chinook salmon in the lower bay using the same methods used fishing for fall Chinook salmon.
Fall Chinook begin returning to the bay the last week of August increasing in September and peaking in October into November with some fish returning in December. The highest number of Fall Chinook salmon are returning to the Trask and Wilson Rivers with fewer Chinook salmon returning to the Tillamook, Kilchis and Miami Rivers. During the fall run the early returning salmon are mostly returning to the Trask River. After September 15th Chinook salmon begin returning to the Wilson River through October and November into December. Fall run Chinook salmon catch statistics show fish returning to the Tillamook River from September, October into November. Fall Chinook salmon are tagged in the Kilchis River in October, November and December.
Early during the spring and fall runs the best salmon fishing occurs in the ocean below the south jetty and to a lesser extent above the north jetty trolling a plug cut herring behind a herring dodger or flasher along the 20 or 30 foot curve north or south of the jetties. During the peak of the runs the most productive fishing occurs in the lower bay trolling a plug cut herring with the incoming tide in the channel along the north jetty from the jetty jaws to Kincheloe Point. Troll a plug cut herring from late May through the middle of June and from the middle of September through the middle of October with the tide from west of the Coast Guard Station to Garibaldi up the Bay City channel through the Ghost Hole to Sandstone Point. Once past the Ghost Hole add spinners and Kwikfish lures to the trolling mix through Bay City. Trolling for Chinook salmon in the south channel is not as popular as in the Bay City channel but can be as productive for Chinook returning to the Trask and Tillamook Rivers. Troll in the south channel from Kincheloe Point through Crab Harbor to a point opposite of the Oyster Fish Haven with a plug cut herring. The velocity of the tidal current in the lower bay requires sinkers 6 to 20 ounces tied to an 18 to 24 inch dropper to keep the bait in the Chinook’s strike zone.
Chinook salmon migrate upriver to the spawning grounds during high water years but in low water years they will mill around in the upper bay above Bay City before moving into the tidal reach of the river channels awaiting the freshets from spring or fall rains. Troll in the upper bay from Memaloose Point through the Picket Fences or from the Oyster House Hole through the Sheep Corral to Bay City using spinners with green accents and rainbow colored spinner blade or with a 50–50 green or chartreuse and hammered brass blade, or bait wrapped Flatfish lures with a silver body and chartreuse head or Hot Tail finish. Troll these baits next to the bottom utilizing light weight sinkers up to 2 ounce in the shallow water of the tidal flats and in the deep water channels of the upper bay associated with the Bay City channel or the south channel. Fish only in the Main channel or in the south channel above crab harbor to Boulder Point with local knowledge. For information and fishing gear Tillamook Sporting Goods has it all.
The Trask and Wilson rivers are the largest rivers entering Tillamook Bay followed by the Kilchis, Tillamook and the Miami Rivers. The highest percentage of the Chinook salmon returning to Tillamook Bay are returning to the Trask and Wilson Rivers respectively with a lower percentage returning to the Tillamook, Kilchis and Miami Rivers. Fish for spring Chinook in the tidal reach of the Trask and Wilson River in June using the same tackle and methods used to fish for fall Chinook. Fish for fall Chinook salmon holding in the lower tidal reach of the Trask River from early September into December and in the Tillamook River from mid September into December and in the Wilson River from late September through October and November into December for returning winter run Chinook salmon. Fall run Chinook salon return to the Kilchis River from October into December.
The most productive fishing in the lower tidal reach of the Trask, Wilson and Tillamook Rivers occurs when the incoming tide coincides with daybreak. Troll bait wrapped Flatfish lures with the incoming tide to intercept migrating fish or anchoring above the deeper holes and fish the lures near the bottom waiting for the fish to come to you. After sunrise add a rainbow colored spinner and/or a spinner bait combination to the trolling mix and fish through high slack tide. When the tide begins ebb drift with the outgoing tide back bouncing a walnut sized gob of salmon eggs topped with a sand shrimp along the bottom or bobber fish a walnut sized gob of salmon eggs suspended just off of the bottom. Anchor above the deeper holes and bobber fish with salmon eggs and/or a sand shrimp during the outgoing tide through low slack tide, or depending of current velocity fish on the bottom with bait wrapped Flatfish lures, spinners, spinner bait combinations, Spin–N–Glos or with an assortment of wobblers.
Historic catch statistics represent a window of opportunity for catching the salmonids returning to the five rivers flowing into Tillamook Bay. Click on Sport Catch Statistics - Salmon, Steelhead and Sturgeon to view the catch statistics for the salmonid species of interest. The reports on this page represent harvest statistics gathered from sports harvest angler tags (punch cards) returned by anglers to ODFW. This sports harvest data has not been verified by ODFW and may be inaccurate for several reasons. Errors may arise from anglers incorrectly reporting locations, dates, and/or species of catches; or from errors in data entry caused by difficult-to-read harvest cards.
According to the annual Recreational Coho Catch Statistics the number of hatchery Coho salmon catch rate for Coho returning to the rivers of Tillamook Bay vary from 907 in 2008 to 22,752 in 2014. According to the monthly Coho catch statistics Coho salmon returning to Tillamook Bay every year are returning to the Trask, Wilson and Tillamook Rivers with smaller numbers returning to the Kilchis River in November.
Coho salmon return in September peaking in October and running into November but only adipose fin clipped Coho may be retained. Fish in the lower bay trolling either a whole herring, plug cut herring, a hoochie sweetened with a chunk of herring, streamer flies or with spinners in the upper half of the water column from the jetty jaws to Garibaldi. The best fishing occurs in the upper bay occurs at high incoming tide from Bay City south trolling a rainbow, chartreuse or pink colored spinner or with a spinner bait combinations.
Steelhead fishing in the Wilson, Kilchis and Trask rivers offer good access to some great wild winter steelhead fishing, which peaks in March.
The Wilson, Kilchis and Trask rivers offer excellent winter steelhead opportunities. Hatchery steelhead usually begin returning in late November, with good fishing through January. Approximately 40,000 early returning hatchery smolts are released in each of the Kilchis and Wilson Rivers. The Kilchis is stocked up to Kilchis Park. An additional 100,000 wild brood smolts are released in the Wilson River, primarily in the lower river up to Siskeyville, but a small proportion (25 percent) are released in the South Fork. Wild brood stock hatchery steelhead are available in the Wilson River throughout the winter and early spring (primarily January to mid-April). The Trask River is not stocked, but hatchery strays are present.
Hwy 6 follows the Wilson River from the lower reaches to the fishing deadline at the South Fork. The Little North Fork Wilson River and first mile of the South Fork Wilson River are open Dec. 1- March 31 for steelhead fishing. These streams provide good opportunities when the main stem Wilson River is high.
The Kilchis River is accessible at the Mapes Creek launch, Kilchis Park, and along Kilchis Forest Road up to the deadline at the confluence of the North and South forks.
The Trask River is accessible at Trask Hatchery and Loren’s Drift off Chance Road and along Trask River Road. The North and South Fork Trask (open Dec. 1 to March 31) are accessible by forest roads that follow each stream. The North Fork Trask deadline is at Bark Shanty Creek and the South Fork deadline is at Edwards Creek.
The Tillamook and Miami rivers are open to steelhead fishing though March. A few stray hatchery fish and smaller populations of wild fish are present in each stream. The Miami River offers access in the upper stretches along Miami Forest Road; however, public access is very limited on the Tillamook River.
Cutthroat trout return to the Wilson, Trask and Kilchis rivers from the middle of July into October with the highest percentage of cutthroat trout returning to the Trask River and a smaller but equal percentage returning to the Wilson and Kilchis Rivers. The most productive fishing occurring in the tidal reach of the three rivers occurs from the middle of July through August trolling Doc Shelton spinners rigged with night crawlers or by casting spinners.
Black rockfish, copper rockfish and blue rockfish enter Tillamook Bay early as March but usually from April through October withdrawing from the bay during periods of heavy seasonal freshwater runoff in winter and into deeper water during the daylight hours. Black rockfish are by far the dominant shallow water rockfish caught in the bay in declining numbers from along the north jetty to Barview, Garibaldi and the Larson Pond culvert. The north jetty is the most productive location to fish for all three species of shallow water rockfish. Copper rockfish are caught in declining numbers from the north jetty to Garibaldi. The most productive fishing occurs in the jetty channel and in the lower bay during an incoming tide after sunset or at daybreak as the shallow water rockfish enter the bay to feed. Remember if you’re going to fish in the jetty channel at night do so only on an incoming tide and when the ocean is clam.
Click on Distinguishing the new species of Blue rockfish, the Deacon rockfish, from Black and Blue rockfish is significant to meet the retention requirements for Deacon, Blue and Black rockfish. Meet the Deacon rockfish.
Pileperch, striped seaperch, redtail surfperch, walleye surfperch and white seaperch enter the bay with the tide during the spring in large numbers feeding heavily on intertidal animals. Fishing ranges from fair to excellent through summer into fall depending on the tides, weather conditions and the amount of freshwater runoff entering the bay. Striped seaperch are the dominant perch species in the lower bay and fishing for them at the Three Graces can be red hot on both the incoming and out going tides. Fish for striped seaperch, pikeperch, redtail surfperch and walleye surfperch from shore at the Three Graces, Hobsonville Point, the Ghost Hole or Sandstone Point. Fishing in the Bay City channel, the main channel and the south channel is productive during both the incoming and outgoing tide. The perch follow the channels with the tide up the bay to Bay City.
Kelp greenling, rock greenling and whitespotted greenling are year–round residents. Statistically Tillamook Bay produces the highest catch rate for greenling for any of Oregon’s bays. Fishing is the best in the spring into summer and poorest during periods of heavy seasonal rainfall and flooding. By far the best fishing is located in the rocky structure along the north jetty followed by Barview and the Larson Pond culvert with a smaller number being caught in the structure associated with the Port of Garibaldi.
Lingcod fishing improves along the north jetty and the Barview jetty from late January with the best fishing occurring from late February to early April along the north jetty followed by Barview Jetty. The slowest fishing occurs from May through December.
Cabezon fishing along the north jetty ranges from poor to fair throughout the year. Angler should concentrate fish during the peak of the spawning period from February into March. Fishing for cabezon over the submerged portion of the north jetty is exceptional from early spring but it should only be attempted when the ocean is flat calm.
White sturgeon are present in the bay for most of the year. The catch ratio of keeper sturgeon caught for the number of hours fished is the highest of Oregon’s bays. Sturgeon enter Tillamook Bay in December. The best fishing is from the middle of December through May with the emphasis in February and March. The fishing in the bay declines during June and July and is slow until December. The most productive time to fish is during the last two hours of the outgoing tide through low slack tide. Fish with mud and/or sand shrimp in the holes, shallow depressions or along the slope of the banks associated with the south, main or Bay City channels, the Sheep Coral or the area from the Picket Fence to Memaloose Point. Fish in the shallow depressions and holes associated with the tidal reach of the river channels of the Wilson, Trask and Tillamook rivers. The fishing declines in the bay as the sturgeon move into the tidal reach of the Tillamook River and to a lesser extent into the Wilson and Trask Rivers. The fishing in the Tillamook River is usually consistent from July through September and at times through October into November but is sporadic in the Wilson and Trask Rivers. Call the area’s tackle shops to find the area of the bay with the hot bite.
Sand Sole enter Tillamook Bay in small numbers from April through August..
Click HERE to return to Mile by Mile Guide. Wilson and Trask Rivers. Call the area’s tackle shops to find the area of the bay with the hot bite.
Tillamook Bay is Oregon's premier fishing bay. The salmon fishing is legendary and the fishing for rockfish off of the north jetty is the most productive for any of Oregon's bays. Click on either image 2 time to enlarge the view of the image. The Chart is out of date and not intended for navigational purposes.
Crossing the Bar:
Crabbing or fishing in Tillamook Bay and in the jetty channel or in the open ocean requires seaworthy boats and experienced skippers because the Tillamook bar is one of the most dangerous to cross. More than one fisherman has lost his life while trying to cross the bar on an outgoing tide. Seaworthy boats are required for safe boating inside the bay to deal with large wind generated waves. Call the Coast Guard at 1-360-642-3565 for a report of local bar conditions and the extended marine forecast. The Coast Guard also broadcasts bar conditions on VHF channels 16 and 22A. The USCG are heavy users of the Marine VHF Channels; Channel 16 is reserved for distress, safety and calling, while channel 22A is utilized for special warnings, Marine Safety and other announcements.
Click on the Oregon State Marine Board and click on Forms Library Scroll down to Publication for download (Many publications no longer in print). Click on Tillamook Bay Bar Hazards The interactive PDF file web page describes the navigational hazards that boaters encounter when crossing the Tillamook Bay Bar.
Bar area. The entire area between the beach and the 20-foot curve is bar area and breaks on the ebbing tide. The water runs out from four to six knots on the average and is very strong. Boaters proceeding out should stop in the channel east of the seaward end of the breakwater and carefully evaluate the bar. If you decide to cross, proceed out - but do not attempt to turn around if the bar is breaking.
North jetty. About 100 yards of the outer end of the north jetty is submerged. This area and the portion of the channel just south of it are extremely dangerous. Avoid the sunken jetty and use caution in the channel south of it.
Middle grounds. Shoaling makes this area unpredictable and hazardous; it should be avoided.
South jetty. About 100 yards of the outer end of the south jetty is submerged. Use caution and avoid the sunken jetty when entering or exiting.
Tillamook Bay channel lies just south of the north jetty. Navigate with extreme caution. This channel changes constantly because of continuous natural silting and scouring. Obtain up-to-date information on channel conditions from the Coast Guard or other authoritative local sources. Do not rely on the range markers without first inquiring whether they mark the present channel location.
NOAA's Bar Observation Website for Oregon's Bays. Check the NOAA Bar Observations website for updated closures and restrictions.
I took the video clip of the Salmon Fishing opportunity in Tillamook Bay to provide you with the idea of what going on at the Ghost Hole and the Bar View Jetty. I was lucky enough to catch some footage of one angler landing a salmon off of the Bar View Jetty.
Crabbing and fishing Report for 04/18 Local Crabbers Report: Crabbing in the bay has been has been fair during the sunny days and in the ocean when ocean conditions permit. Crabbers are reminded to pick up their gear prior to the outgoing tide to avoid unsafe tidal conditions. Jeff reports. Crabbing is best on the incoming tide. Boaters should avoid crabbing during the outgoing tide.
Fishing for Chinook salmon in the bay has been ............. Garibaldi Marina goes on winter hours from Friday through Sunday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. Garibaldi Marina usually resumes summer hours on 03/01. Check with Jeff or his crew to the updated closing schedule.
Last Fall Jeff's crew tagged both halibut and salmon last Tuesday. Historically Chinook salmon enter Tillamook bay into December. Currently the Garibaldi Marina is operating on Summer hours open seven days a week from 7:00am to 4:00pm.
The Garibaldi Marina is a full service marina offering a large array of products and services. Jeff reminds everyone to use caution when boating in the bay during the high velocity of clam tides. The Garibaldi Marina at 503 322 3312 is operating on Summer hours.
The diversity of Tillamook Bay provides the angler with the opportunity to plan combination trips. Set out crab pots in the early morning before daylight and fish for Chinook salmon during a high incoming tide in the lower tidal reach of the bay, or dig for clams and pump for sand shrimp in the lower bay during an outgoing minus tide and fish for perch on the incoming tide. Being prepared to make the most of your opportunities can turn an ordinary outing into an exceptional one. New to the Tillamook Bay salmon scene? We suggest hiring a guide to show you the ropes. Jeff at Garibaldi Marina is a great source of information and loves to talk fishing, crabbing or clam digging.
The Brad Dawson tidewater handicap access facility is an example of just how recreational friendly Tillamook Bay is. It is handicapped accessible and is located on the Netarts Highway at the confluence of the Tillamook River and South Fork of the Trask River and provides the disabled the opportunity to fish for salmon and sturgeon.
INFORMATION REPORTS NUMBER 2008-01 Oregon North Coast Spring Chinook Stock Assessment – 2005-06
Information Report 98-4. Nickelson, T.E. 1998. A habitat-based assessment of coho salmon production potential and spawner escapement needs for Oregon coastal streams.
Information Report 88-1 Chinook Populations in Oregon Coastal River Basins. Description of Life Histories and Assessment of Recent Trends in Run Strengths
Chinook salmon return to Tillamook Bay during the spring, fall and in winter. The age class of the returning Chinook is usually comprised of high percentage of 5 year old fish followed by 4 year old and larger 6 year old fish. Spring Chinook salmon begin returning to Tillamook Bay in May peaking in late May into early June but only fin clipped fish may be retained. The highest number of spring Chinook are returning to the Trask and Wilson Rivers respectively with a smaller number straying into the Kilchis and Tillamook Rivers. Fish spring Chinook salmon in the lower bay using the same methods used fishing for fall Chinook salmon.
Fall Chinook begin returning to the bay the last week of August increasing in September and peaking in October into November with some fish returning in December. The highest number of Fall Chinook salmon are returning to the Trask and Wilson Rivers with fewer Chinook salmon returning to the Tillamook, Kilchis and Miami Rivers. During the fall run the early returning salmon are mostly returning to the Trask River. After September 15th Chinook salmon begin returning to the Wilson River through October and November into December. Fall run Chinook salmon catch statistics show fish returning to the Tillamook River from September, October into November. Fall Chinook salmon are tagged in the Kilchis River in October, November and December.
Early during the spring and fall runs the best salmon fishing occurs in the ocean below the south jetty and to a lesser extent above the north jetty trolling a plug cut herring behind a herring dodger or flasher along the 20 or 30 foot curve north or south of the jetties. During the peak of the runs the most productive fishing occurs in the lower bay trolling a plug cut herring with the incoming tide in the channel along the north jetty from the jetty jaws to Kincheloe Point. Troll a plug cut herring from late May through the middle of June and from the middle of September through the middle of October with the tide from west of the Coast Guard Station to Garibaldi up the Bay City channel through the Ghost Hole to Sandstone Point. Once past the Ghost Hole add spinners and Kwikfish lures to the trolling mix through Bay City. Trolling for Chinook salmon in the south channel is not as popular as in the Bay City channel but can be as productive for Chinook returning to the Trask and Tillamook Rivers. Troll in the south channel from Kincheloe Point through Crab Harbor to a point opposite of the Oyster Fish Haven with a plug cut herring. The velocity of the tidal current in the lower bay requires sinkers 6 to 20 ounces tied to an 18 to 24 inch dropper to keep the bait in the Chinook’s strike zone.
Chinook salmon migrate upriver to the spawning grounds during high water years but in low water years they will mill around in the upper bay above Bay City before moving into the tidal reach of the river channels awaiting the freshets from spring or fall rains. Troll in the upper bay from Memaloose Point through the Picket Fences or from the Oyster House Hole through the Sheep Corral to Bay City using spinners with green accents and rainbow colored spinner blade or with a 50–50 green or chartreuse and hammered brass blade, or bait wrapped Flatfish lures with a silver body and chartreuse head or Hot Tail finish. Troll these baits next to the bottom utilizing light weight sinkers up to 2 ounce in the shallow water of the tidal flats and in the deep water channels of the upper bay associated with the Bay City channel or the south channel. Fish only in the Main channel or in the south channel above crab harbor to Boulder Point with local knowledge. For information and fishing gear Tillamook Sporting Goods has it all.
The Trask and Wilson rivers are the largest rivers entering Tillamook Bay followed by the Kilchis, Tillamook and the Miami Rivers. The highest percentage of the Chinook salmon returning to Tillamook Bay are returning to the Trask and Wilson Rivers respectively with a lower percentage returning to the Tillamook, Kilchis and Miami Rivers. Fish for spring Chinook in the tidal reach of the Trask and Wilson River in June using the same tackle and methods used to fish for fall Chinook. Fish for fall Chinook salmon holding in the lower tidal reach of the Trask River from early September into December and in the Tillamook River from mid September into December and in the Wilson River from late September through October and November into December for returning winter run Chinook salmon. Fall run Chinook salon return to the Kilchis River from October into December.
The most productive fishing in the lower tidal reach of the Trask, Wilson and Tillamook Rivers occurs when the incoming tide coincides with daybreak. Troll bait wrapped Flatfish lures with the incoming tide to intercept migrating fish or anchoring above the deeper holes and fish the lures near the bottom waiting for the fish to come to you. After sunrise add a rainbow colored spinner and/or a spinner bait combination to the trolling mix and fish through high slack tide. When the tide begins ebb drift with the outgoing tide back bouncing a walnut sized gob of salmon eggs topped with a sand shrimp along the bottom or bobber fish a walnut sized gob of salmon eggs suspended just off of the bottom. Anchor above the deeper holes and bobber fish with salmon eggs and/or a sand shrimp during the outgoing tide through low slack tide, or depending of current velocity fish on the bottom with bait wrapped Flatfish lures, spinners, spinner bait combinations, Spin–N–Glos or with an assortment of wobblers.
Historic catch statistics represent a window of opportunity for catching the salmonids returning to the five rivers flowing into Tillamook Bay. Click on Sport Catch Statistics - Salmon, Steelhead and Sturgeon to view the catch statistics for the salmonid species of interest. The reports on this page represent harvest statistics gathered from sports harvest angler tags (punch cards) returned by anglers to ODFW. This sports harvest data has not been verified by ODFW and may be inaccurate for several reasons. Errors may arise from anglers incorrectly reporting locations, dates, and/or species of catches; or from errors in data entry caused by difficult-to-read harvest cards.
According to the annual Recreational Coho Catch Statistics the number of hatchery Coho salmon catch rate for Coho returning to the rivers of Tillamook Bay vary from 907 in 2008 to 22,752 in 2014. According to the monthly Coho catch statistics Coho salmon returning to Tillamook Bay every year are returning to the Trask, Wilson and Tillamook Rivers with smaller numbers returning to the Kilchis River in November.
Coho salmon return in September peaking in October and running into November but only adipose fin clipped Coho may be retained. Fish in the lower bay trolling either a whole herring, plug cut herring, a hoochie sweetened with a chunk of herring, streamer flies or with spinners in the upper half of the water column from the jetty jaws to Garibaldi. The best fishing occurs in the upper bay occurs at high incoming tide from Bay City south trolling a rainbow, chartreuse or pink colored spinner or with a spinner bait combinations.
Steelhead fishing in the Wilson, Kilchis and Trask rivers offer good access to some great wild winter steelhead fishing, which peaks in March.
The Wilson, Kilchis and Trask rivers offer excellent winter steelhead opportunities. Hatchery steelhead usually begin returning in late November, with good fishing through January. Approximately 40,000 early returning hatchery smolts are released in each of the Kilchis and Wilson Rivers. The Kilchis is stocked up to Kilchis Park. An additional 100,000 wild brood smolts are released in the Wilson River, primarily in the lower river up to Siskeyville, but a small proportion (25 percent) are released in the South Fork. Wild brood stock hatchery steelhead are available in the Wilson River throughout the winter and early spring (primarily January to mid-April). The Trask River is not stocked, but hatchery strays are present.
Hwy 6 follows the Wilson River from the lower reaches to the fishing deadline at the South Fork. The Little North Fork Wilson River and first mile of the South Fork Wilson River are open Dec. 1- March 31 for steelhead fishing. These streams provide good opportunities when the main stem Wilson River is high.
The Kilchis River is accessible at the Mapes Creek launch, Kilchis Park, and along Kilchis Forest Road up to the deadline at the confluence of the North and South forks.
The Trask River is accessible at Trask Hatchery and Loren’s Drift off Chance Road and along Trask River Road. The North and South Fork Trask (open Dec. 1 to March 31) are accessible by forest roads that follow each stream. The North Fork Trask deadline is at Bark Shanty Creek and the South Fork deadline is at Edwards Creek.
The Tillamook and Miami rivers are open to steelhead fishing though March. A few stray hatchery fish and smaller populations of wild fish are present in each stream. The Miami River offers access in the upper stretches along Miami Forest Road; however, public access is very limited on the Tillamook River.
Cutthroat trout return to the Wilson, Trask and Kilchis rivers from the middle of July into October with the highest percentage of cutthroat trout returning to the Trask River and a smaller but equal percentage returning to the Wilson and Kilchis Rivers. The most productive fishing occurring in the tidal reach of the three rivers occurs from the middle of July through August trolling Doc Shelton spinners rigged with night crawlers or by casting spinners.
Black rockfish, copper rockfish and blue rockfish enter Tillamook Bay early as March but usually from April through October withdrawing from the bay during periods of heavy seasonal freshwater runoff in winter and into deeper water during the daylight hours. Black rockfish are by far the dominant shallow water rockfish caught in the bay in declining numbers from along the north jetty to Barview, Garibaldi and the Larson Pond culvert. The north jetty is the most productive location to fish for all three species of shallow water rockfish. Copper rockfish are caught in declining numbers from the north jetty to Garibaldi. The most productive fishing occurs in the jetty channel and in the lower bay during an incoming tide after sunset or at daybreak as the shallow water rockfish enter the bay to feed. Remember if you’re going to fish in the jetty channel at night do so only on an incoming tide and when the ocean is clam.
Click on Distinguishing the new species of Blue rockfish, the Deacon rockfish, from Black and Blue rockfish is significant to meet the retention requirements for Deacon, Blue and Black rockfish. Meet the Deacon rockfish.
Pileperch, striped seaperch, redtail surfperch, walleye surfperch and white seaperch enter the bay with the tide during the spring in large numbers feeding heavily on intertidal animals. Fishing ranges from fair to excellent through summer into fall depending on the tides, weather conditions and the amount of freshwater runoff entering the bay. Striped seaperch are the dominant perch species in the lower bay and fishing for them at the Three Graces can be red hot on both the incoming and out going tides. Fish for striped seaperch, pikeperch, redtail surfperch and walleye surfperch from shore at the Three Graces, Hobsonville Point, the Ghost Hole or Sandstone Point. Fishing in the Bay City channel, the main channel and the south channel is productive during both the incoming and outgoing tide. The perch follow the channels with the tide up the bay to Bay City.
Kelp greenling, rock greenling and whitespotted greenling are year–round residents. Statistically Tillamook Bay produces the highest catch rate for greenling for any of Oregon’s bays. Fishing is the best in the spring into summer and poorest during periods of heavy seasonal rainfall and flooding. By far the best fishing is located in the rocky structure along the north jetty followed by Barview and the Larson Pond culvert with a smaller number being caught in the structure associated with the Port of Garibaldi.
Lingcod fishing improves along the north jetty and the Barview jetty from late January with the best fishing occurring from late February to early April along the north jetty followed by Barview Jetty. The slowest fishing occurs from May through December.
Cabezon fishing along the north jetty ranges from poor to fair throughout the year. Angler should concentrate fish during the peak of the spawning period from February into March. Fishing for cabezon over the submerged portion of the north jetty is exceptional from early spring but it should only be attempted when the ocean is flat calm.
White sturgeon are present in the bay for most of the year. The catch ratio of keeper sturgeon caught for the number of hours fished is the highest of Oregon’s bays. Sturgeon enter Tillamook Bay in December. The best fishing is from the middle of December through May with the emphasis in February and March. The fishing in the bay declines during June and July and is slow until December. The most productive time to fish is during the last two hours of the outgoing tide through low slack tide. Fish with mud and/or sand shrimp in the holes, shallow depressions or along the slope of the banks associated with the south, main or Bay City channels, the Sheep Coral or the area from the Picket Fence to Memaloose Point. Fish in the shallow depressions and holes associated with the tidal reach of the river channels of the Wilson, Trask and Tillamook rivers. The fishing declines in the bay as the sturgeon move into the tidal reach of the Tillamook River and to a lesser extent into the Wilson and Trask Rivers. The fishing in the Tillamook River is usually consistent from July through September and at times through October into November but is sporadic in the Wilson and Trask Rivers. Call the area’s tackle shops to find the area of the bay with the hot bite.
Sand Sole enter Tillamook Bay in small numbers from April through August..
Click HERE to return to Mile by Mile Guide. Wilson and Trask Rivers. Call the area’s tackle shops to find the area of the bay with the hot bite.
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Click on the following video clip to view a professional crab shaker picking a Dungeness crab. Using this method cuts the time to pick a crab in half.
