The bar at the entrance to Siletz Bay is dangerous to cross.  Not at anytime should the small boater attempt to cross the bar.  You have to use caution when crabbing or fishing in Siletz Bay.  You should only crab or fish in the lower bay on a high incoming tide.  The high current velocity of the major tidal phase of an outgoing spring tide reaches seven knots at the entrance, enough force to pull an underpowered vessel or one having engine failure over the bar into the surf jeopardizing the lives of all aboard.

Siletz Bay is one of Oregon’s most popular bays to fish for Chinook salmon.  The Siletz River has both a spring and fall run of Chinook salmon, but it is the fall run that generates all the excitement as demonstrated by the congested boat traffic in the photograph.

Information Report 2000-04. Zhou, S., and R. Williams. 2000. Escapement goals for Siletz River and Siuslaw River fall Chinook based on stock and recruitment analysis.

Chinook salmon return to Siletz Bay and to the rivers of the Siletz Basin during the spring and in the fall.  The master of the salmon demanded tribute from Indians before they could pass Medicine Rocks according to the Siletz Indian legend.  Medicine Rocks consists of three rocks, on two of which the heads of persons may be recognized.  On the left side of the master of the salmon stands his wife, both of them easily recognized; on his right side is their dead child.*  Honor the legend by leaving something and the salmon will return forever. 

Historically, the number of returning spring Chinook salmon returning to the Siletz Bay is small.  The catch rate for spring Chinook averages a 170 fish per year.   The run begins about the last week of May peaking June and running into July.  Spring Chinook unlike their fall cousins spend very little time in the bay or the lower tidal reach but instead hold in the upper tidal reach of the river until they spawn in the fall.  Fish for spring Chinook salmon 6 miles upstream from the Highway 101 Bridge to the head of tidewater located 15.5 miles upstream at Cedar Creek.  Launching facilities are limited in the upper tidal reach of the Siletz River.  Launch a boat at Strom Park and fish with the incoming tide to the head of tidewater or fish downstream to Sunset Landing with the outgoing tide.  Fishing is also productive in the river above the head of tidewater.  Launch at Morgan Park and fish the deeper holes to the takeout at Strom Park but the drift boater must be prepared to deal with the tide. 

A small numbers of fall Chinook salmon enter the Siletz River from the last week of August and rapidly increasing numbers through the middle of September.  The number of returning fish increase during the last half of September peaking in October before declining in November. Small numbers of Chinook also return in December and January  The catch rate has been dominated by a high percentage of 5 year old fish followed by 4, 6 and 3 year old fish.  The best fishing for newly arriving fall Chinook salmon occurs in the lower bay during the incoming tide of the major tidal exchange of spring tides or neap tides especially when the incoming tide coincides with sunrise or sunset.  The next most productive fishing period occurs at sunrise or sunset during the incoming tide of the minor tidal cycle.

Above: on 08/30/18 a local angler tagged a Chinook salmon fishing from the North Shore of Siletz Bay.

Fall fishing 2017 for salmon exceeds crabbing in popularity when the salmon are returning to Siletz Bay.

Shown on 09/27/15 local artist Brian took a salmon fishing from the North shore of Siletz Bay. Salmon crossing the bar at Siletz Bay offer anglers fishing from shore the opportunity to take home a Chinook salmon or coho in season.

Early in the run concentrate fishing in the lower bay trolling a plug cut herring with the incoming tide from the entrance at the bar along the channel paralleling the sand spit to the first house on Siletz Spit.   

During the peak of the run most anglers concentrate fishing in the lower tidal reach of the river channel above the Highway 101 Bridge to Sunset Landing.  Troll a plug cut herring, spinner bait combinations, rainbow colored spinners or silver colored bait wrapped Flatfish lures with a chartreuse head with the incoming tide.  The competition for the more productive holes and travel lanes is intense.  To avoid the congestion most anglers anchor on the up current side of the more productive holes and fish with a plug cut herring, bait wrapped Flatfish lures, spinner bait combinations, spinners or wobblers.

Back bounce or back troll with the outgoing tide from Sunset Landing downstream to the Highway 101 Bridge fishing with bait wrapped Flatfish lures, spinner bait combinations, spinners or wobblers.  Fish upstream from Windy Bend drifting with the tide or by anchoring above the deeper holes during the last half of the outgoing tide through low slack tide fishing with a bobber using a walnut sized gob of salmon eggs and sand shrimp.  Accent the salmon eggs and sand shrimp with a small length of pink, red, chartreuse or orange yarn.  Fall run Chinook salmon return to Drift Creek, a tributary of the Siletz River, that flows into Siletz Bay begining in September, peaking in October and retuning into November. Some late returning Fall Chinook are late return salmon returnning to Schooner Creek in October - November depending on the level of water flowing down the creek.

Steelhead fishing in the Siletz River offers anglers the opportunity to fish for steelhead year-round. The Siletz has both summer and winter steelhead native runs as well as summer and winter steelhead hatchery programs. Anglers are reminded that only hatchery fish can be retained.

Winter steelhead begin arriving in late November with a peak in January-March. The winter steelhead hatchery program in the Siletz Basin utilizes a wild broodstock and can provide excellent fishing throughout the season. This program has a target release of 50,000 steelhead smolts each spring from the Palmer Creek acclimation facility located across from Moonshine Park.

During peak season drift boat fishing can be very productive but many sections of the river can be busy during favorable flow conditions. Popular techniques used from a drift boat include side drifting, pulling plugs or drifting a bobber and jig. Bank fishing can also be very good in the upper river around Moonshine Park. Effective bank fishing techniques are flow dependent but include swinging spinners and spoons across riffles, drifting a bobber and bait or jig, plunking, and bouncing a corky and bait along the bottom.

The Siletz River also has a native summer steelhead run, the only one naturally occurring to the Oregon Coast Range. I caught and released a 16 pound Steelhead from the Siletz River some 40 years ago.

Fishing upstream of the park does require access through the Siletz Gorge Road -- a private logging road open to public vehicle traffic only on the weekends. Bank anglers also plunk with stationary gear in the lower river, especially when river conditions are high with poor visibility. A portion of hatchery fish returning to ODFW fish traps are also recycled to provide additional fishing opportunities. These fish are tagged with a small colored tag near the dorsal fin. Anglers are encouraged to report these tagged recycled fish so that the benefit of the recycling program can be assessed.

A hatchery summer steelhead program with a target smolt release of up to 80,000 fish each spring offers anglers an excellent opportunity to harvest fresh steelhead by early summer. Summer steelhead start arriving in May with a peak in mid-July. A second push of summers arrive with the first fall rains. Most summer steelhead fishing is from the bank starting around Moonshine Park on up to the deadline below Siletz Falls. During the summer flows, fly fishing the gorge area can be very productive by swinging flies across riffles in the early mornings. Other techniques such as casting lures or using a bobber and bait/jig can also produce good results.

Drift Creek-Siletz (located just south of Lincoln City) offers anglers good catch-and-release wild steelhead fishing with the occasional stray hatchery steelhead. A large portion of the fishable river is located within the Siuslaw National Forest with several good hike-in opportunities.

Coho salmon return to Siletz Bay during the last half of October and run through November.  Troll in the lower bay from the sand spit near the bar trolling plug cut herring, hoochies or streamer flies with the incoming tide to the Highway 101 bridge.  Troll these baits behind a diver or wire spreader or diver in the upper half of the water column.  Troll in lower tidal reach in the river channel from the Highway 101 Bridge to Sunset Landing with plug cut herring, pink, rainbow or chartreuse colored spinners.  Remember coho salmon prefer bait trolled near the surface at speeds between 3 and 5 knots. 

Cutthroat trout return to Siletz Bay from the middle of July through August.  Early in the run fish from the Cannery Hole seaward to the Siletz Spit during the incoming tide trolling Doc Shelton spinners rigged with night crawlers.  After the first week of August fish the entire length of the upper reach of tidewater trolling Doc Shelton spinners rigged with night crawlers.  Fish from shore in the upper tidal reach of the estuary casting spinners or by fishing on the bottom of the deeper holes with night crawlers or crawfish tails. Refer to ODFW fishing regulations for current information on seasons and catch methods.

Redtail surfperch, pileperch, walleye surfperch, silver surfperch and striped seaperch enter the bay in late spring.  The fishing ranges from fair to excellent through fall depending on the tides and the weather conditions.  The best fishing occurs during June and July in the lower bay along the main channel paralleling the sand spit upstream to the pilings at the Cannery Hole.  Fish in the areas of the upper bay that are adjacent to eelgrass beds and along the channel that drains Millport Slough up to the entrance of the Siletz Bay Natural Wildlife Refuge.   

White sturgeon enter Siletz Bay in small numbers sporadically throughout the year.  The catch rate for keeper size fish averages less than 15 fish per year with the high count of 52 fish landed.  The best fishing occurs in the lower tidal reach of the river channel above the Highway 101 Bridge from December through March. The best time to fish for sturgeon is two hours before low tide.  Mud and sand shrimp are the most productive bait.  The sturgeon fishery is a small one that is of interest to local anglers only

Sand Sole enter Siletz Bay in small numbers from April through August.

Bank fishing for salmon at the natural entrance to the bay attracts anglers from all over Oregon.  At one time the fishing for salmon from the north shore of the entrance to Siletz Bay was so popular it was hard to find a spot from which to fish.  Fishing for salmon and perch is excellent from the north shore at the entrance of Siletz Bay.  Bank fishing along Highway 229 for Chinook salmon is excellent on the lower river immediately upstream from Siletz Moorage.  Anglers either fish with spinners or bobbers.  Fishing with herring can be productive but the crabs steal most of the bait.  Pullouts along the highway with heavily used trails leading down to the river usually disclose the location of the more productive fishing holes along the river.  One of the best holes is located approximately 100 hundred yards upstream from a single–wide silver mobile home that is across the river from the highway.  Another productive location is the Movie House Hole.  The movie house was originally used as a set in the movie, “Sometimes a Great Notion”, starring Henry Fonda and Richard Jaeckel.  The hole at the head of tidewater located at Cedar Creek is one of the most productive on the river.  Spinners or salmon eggs are the most productive bait used by anglers.  The best fishing occurs at daybreak and on the tide change.  Fish for perch from the north shore of the bay at the entrance at the community of Taft or under the Highway 101 Bridge over Millport Slough or the Siletz River. 

Clam digging in Siletz Bay historically has been limited to softshell clams.  However purple varnish clams are the clam species of interest taken from the tidal flats in the lower bay.

Lincoln City Events and Surrounding Area Activities:

Click on Lincoln City to view the fun filled activities in the Lincoln City area, or click on the Oregon Coast Today Newspaper to see interesting places to visit and new things to experience while visiting the Central Oregon Coast.

Held in November the annual Lincoln City Clam Chowder Cook Off is a major coastal event. Sadly the Clam Chowder cook off failed to attract enough contestants for the cook off to continue.

The Clam Chowder Cook Off was replaced by Lincoln City Chowder & Brewfest at the Lincoln City Outlet Stores. Celebrate the comfort food of the Oregon Coast along with signature craft beers from regional breweries, a perfect pairing. Enjoy live entertainment throughout the day and take part in fun games. For more information, call 541-994-3070.

The Jambalaya Cook Off is sponsored by the Lincoln City Culinary Center. The Culinary Center sponsors the prestigious Clam Chowder Cook Off along with other cooking events. We were honored to be ask to participate as one of the judges.

Lincoln City's Fish 2016 Taco Cook Off attracted a record number of fish taco enthusiasts. The turn out was so large the event ran out of tacos early.

Agates are common to the gravel bars at the entrance of Siletz Bay. The gravel bars are revealed during periods of heavy surf of Winter storms. Photo of polished agates by Steve Martin.

NOAA tidal projections for the Siletz River Estuary at Taft.

Tbone tidal projections for the North shore of Siletz Bay at Taft.

Click on the navigational hazards to avoid when crossing the Bar at the Siletz River Estuary.

Local Weather - Click to view the local weather forecast for Lincoln City.

Recommended website: Click on the following link to see an detailed hourly forecast for weather and surf conditions on the northern Oregon Coast. Then click your coastal zone of interest to view the detail information compiled on the Marine Digital Point Forecast Matrix Interface.

Marine Weather - Click on the marine weather forecast for coastal waters from Cascade Head to Florence OR out 10 nm.

Click on Stonewall Bank Buoy Reports to view reports.

Click on National Buoy Data Center to view the observations from buoys off the Oregon Coast.

Mile by Mile Continuation:

121.4 Siletz Spit is accessed through the parking lot at the Market Place at Salishan. Turn west into the parking lot from Highway 101. The hiking trail to the sand spit is located in the right back corner of the parking lot. It takes approximately 15 minutes to walk the nature trail to the beach.

121.4 Salishan Golf Resort at Gleneden Beach is a destination golf resort as well as the Market Place at Salishan.

121.6 & 122.5 Gleneden Beach is located between Lincoln Beach and the Siletz Spit. Fishing for redtail surfperch fishing is good at times along the beach to Siletz Spit. To access the beach while traveling from the south turn west at mile mark 122.5 on Wessler Street and follow it to the Gleneden Beach Wayside. The parking area is large enough to accommodate all vehicles. To access the beach while traveling from the north by turn west at mile mark 121.6 onto Gleneden Beach Loop Road. Follow the loop road to Wessler Street. Turn west to the State Park. Access to a small parking area and beach trail is gained by turning west onto Laurel Street. Follow the sign to the Beach Comber Motel. Park the car at the short dead end and walk down the beach access trail to the beach.

124.x Siletz Ariport - The signs say Fly Today!!! It's all about the Clam's Eye View of our clam digging and crabbing area. Book a flight one the Biplane with North West Plane Rides. They fly our of Siletz Airport at Gleneden Beach. Take the time to enjoy the clam's eye view of Siletz Bay. The sound of the wind and the engine drown out the sound of my comments. Oh Boy!!! Bill

124.4 Lincoln Beach is located north of Forgarty Creek Cove and south of and adjacent to Gleneden Beach via Willow ST. Lincoln beach is one of the sites where two thousand year old Hemlock tree stumps were uncovered by erosion from the unusual current flow caused by the ocean condition El Nino. The erosion has uncovered the remnants of ancient forests that were flooded by the ocean between two and four housand years ago. The tree stumps of Douglas fir, Sitka Spruce and Hemlock were uncovered at fourteen locations along the Oregon Coast.

My wife Diane poses on one of the stumps of the two thousand year old Hemlock trees and our yellow Labrador Zoë sits at her feet.

125.0 Fishing Rock State Park is a renowned location to fish for the species associated with the rocky shore, i.e. bass, sea trout, perch, cabezon and lingcod. Fishing south along the rocky shore to Otter Crest consistently produce fine catches of the fish species associated with the rocky shore along the Oregon Coast. From the north turn west on Fishing Rock Street at mile marker 124.8 or turn west onto Forgarty Ave from both directions at mile marker 125.0. Park at the end of the block and follow the trail to the fishing area.

125.3 Forgarty Creek Cove is a sandy beach cove dominated by rocky structure inside of the surf line. The cove is located west of Forgarty Creek State Park. The entrance to Forgarty Creek State Park is on eastside of Highway 101 just south of Forgarty Creek Cove. There is ample parking for all vehicles at the State Park. Park and follow the sighs to the beach. Fishing is fair for perch. After sunset the fishing for bass is excellent under the lights from the Surfrider Inn.

125.8 Boiler Bay access to the north shore is from a very small parking area adjacent to Highway 101. Fishing the north point at high tide is renowned for the fish species associated with the rocky shore, i.e. bass, sea trout, perch, cabezon and lingcod. Use caution when entering the highway from the small pking area. Refer to the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulation restricting the taking ofshellfish or marine invertebrates within the Boiler Bay Research Reserve.

126.4 Boiler Bay State Wayside is located north of the world’s smallest bay – Depoe Bay. Boiler Bay received its name from the boiler that can be seen on the north shore during low tide. The boiler is all that remains of the steam schooner J. Marhoffer. The schooner was on fire when it drifted into the bay on May 18, 1910 and sank. The fishing in Boiler Bay is renowned for the fish species, i.e. bass, sea trout, perch, cabezon and lingcod.  Anglers fish from behind the fence overlooking the cliff adjacent to the parking lot or from the rocks that extend out from Government Point south toward Depoe Bay.

Caution: each year the ocean claims the lives of visitors, fisherman or otherwise, who fall into the ocean when they loose their footing from the extremely slippery rocks. Visitors to the rocky shore should avoid walking in areas with the bright green alga refered to as Sea Lettus. Stepping on the slippery Sea Lettus will send you falling out of control onto the rocky substrate beneath your feet.

127.6                                   Depoe Bay

Depoe Bay: Port Dock 1, the primary crabbing dock, is the first dock in the image. The single lane boat launch is shown on the south shore.

The World’s smallest bay attracts thousands of visitors each year. The Spouting Horn is a crack in the basalt on the rocky shore that sends ocean spray skyward over on looking storm watchers during winter storms. Depoe Bay's location is ideal as it is just minutes from some of the most productive fishing for nearshore or deepwater complex rockfish species along the Oregon Coast. Anglers fishing out of Depoe Bay and Yaquina Bay have the highest catch ratio of rockfish per angler on the Oregon Coast according to statistical catch information compiled by the National Marine Fishery Service.

Know your harbor. Familiarize yourself with the conditions at the bar. Navigational hazards for crossing the bar at Depoe Bay NOAA's Bar Observation Website for Oregon's Bays. Check the NOAA Bar Observations website for updated closures and restrictions.

127.5 Click on Whale Watch Center located just north of the bridge over Hwy. 101 to get a Whale's Eye View of Depoe Bay.

Depoe Bay is one of the safer ports of entry for the small boats. Call the Coast Guard at 1-541-765-2122 for a report of local bar conditions and the extended marine forecast. The entrance to Depoe Bay is through a narrow crack in the basalt rock. The entrance should not be attempted at night or in rough weather without local knowledge. Notice of entry via channel 80 and by horn blast is required before a boat may enter or exit the harbor channel. Vessels entering Depoe Bay must align the range markers of two vertical red lights located above the entrance to Depoe Bay before entering the harbor channel through the basalt rock. There is a lighted bell buoy located inshore from a lighted whistle buoy located 1.1 miles west offshore. Once clearing the harbor follow the channel to the lighted bell buoy. Fishing is excellent for rockfish over the rocky reefs and along the edge of the kelp forest north to government Point at Boiler Bay and to the mouth of the Siletz River. Fishing for rockfish is excellent south along the rocky reefs and kelp forest off of Morocco, Cape Foul Weather and Otter Rock. Fish for coho and Chinook salmon seaward outside of the 30 fathom curve from late June through the end of July. A word of caution, avoid fishing off of the North Reef and Flat Rock because large swells can materialize out of nowhere. North Reef is located approximately 550 yards west and slightly north of the entrance to Depoe Bay and Flat Rock is located approximately 450 yards southwest of the entrance to Depoe Bay.

An important rule at Depoe Bay: Never fish between the entrance and the red bell buoy. The Rough Bay Warning Light displays two flashing lights when activated and is positioned on a building north of the entrance channel. When the lights are flashing check with Depoe Bay Coast Guard on VHF channel 16 for crossing restrictions.

When visibility is less than one nautical mile, the Coast Guard activates its fog signal. The horn then sounds for 2 seconds, once every 30 seconds.

The cabezon and lingcod were caught off of Boiler Bay while fishing from a boat drifting over the rocky reefs. The salmon were caught outside of the 30 fathom curve.

Bank fishing from the rocky structure inside the bay at low tide is good for perch, sea trout and the occasional flurry of bass. The fishing outside the bay in front of Depoe Bay from the basalt rocky shelf is excellent for perch, sea trout, cabezon, bass and lingcod. Fish south of the entrance to Depoe Bay or north of the entrance to the ‘Crack’ located 150 yards northward Fishing from the north point at Depoe Bay is outstanding for bass: Black rockfish, Blue rockfish and the recently identified Deacon rockfish in addition to cabezon, red irishlord, lingcod ocean perch and greenling during a high or low tide when the ocean is flat clam. The end of the point is accessible at low tide, but is dangerous at all times except when the ocean is flat clam. Fish the south side of Pirates Cove during high tide for bass and lingcod. Access North Point by turning west onto Sunset to the corner of SW Alsea Ave, park and walk through the public beach access trail to North Point. To access the south side of Pirates Cove turn right onto Alsea Ave to Vista St. Fishing at the south point at Depoe Bay is good for perch, sea trout, bass and lingcod during low and high tide.

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.

Anglers need to be aware of the regulations governing the taking of groundfish. Click on the ODFW Sport Groundfish Webpage to view the groundfish regulations. Click on the following links for additional information governing the taking of sport ground fish. Waypoint, Stonewall Bank Yelloweye RCA coordinates, Longleader Gear Information, Descending Device Information.

Depoe Bay boat launch islocated at the south end of the bay. The access road is the first street to the east south of the Hwy 101 Bridge. There is a two dollar launch fee but the launch is congested by anglers waiting up to 1½ hours to launch boats during salon season.

If fishing from the rocky structure at Depoe Bay is not your thing, then try fishing on one of the fine Charter Vesels from Dockside Charters.

Current status for offshore fishing productivity from Dockside Charter's website. Click on Fishing Reports:

As a disabled veteran it was an honor for me to fish with other veterans aboard the TackleBuster out of Depoe Bay. Fishing with the Members of the Paralyzed Veterans of America sponsored a rockfish fishing trip aboard the TackleBuster out of Depoe Bay.

Crabbing for ocean sized Dungeness crabs with vets on the TackleBuster. Forty five dinner plate sized crabs were taken.

Depoe Bay Crabbing allows crabbing and fishing from the port docks from one half hour prior to sunrise and one half hour after sunset. All the crabbing equipment must be removed from the docks during prohibited hours. Lifejackets are required to be worn by children under 14 years of age when crabbing from the port docks but you must provide lifejackets for them.

On Sunday 11/30/14 the view of the Highway 101 Bridge over the crack in the basalt from port dock one is spectacular; however, the crabbing was not. My friend Dustin and I along with my clam digging dog, Cali Ann spent several hours on the crabbing dock and managed to catch short male Dungeness. The bay is home to both Dungeness and red rock crabs. However, not satisfied Dustin scored the two beauties several days later using the Crab Max Crabbing Traps.

Navigational hazards for crossing the bar at Depoe Bay

Click on the NOAA tidal projections to display the tidal projections for Depoe Bay.

Local Weather - Click to view the local weather forecast for Depoe Bay.

Recommended website: Click on the following link to see an detailed hourly forecast for weather and surf conditions on the northern Oregon Coast. Then click your coastal zone of interest to view the detail information compiled on the Marine Digital Point Forecast Matrix Interface.

Marine Weather - Click on the marine weather forecast for coastal waters from Cascade Head to Florence OR out 10 nm.

Click on Stonewall Bank Buoy Reports to view reports.

Click on National Buoy Data Center to view the observations from buoys off the Oregon Coast.

Mile by Mile Continuation

127.7 Ellingson St. is the access point to the rocky basalt shelf located south of the entrance to Depoe Bay. Fishing from the basalt rocky shelf on the south side of Depoe Bay is excellent for perch, sea trout, bass and lingcod during low and high tide when the ocean is calm.

128.2 South Point St. is the access point to the rocky cliffs south of Depoe Bay. The fishing at the south point is excellent for perch, sea trout, bass and lingcod during low and high tide when the ocean is calm.

129.6 Rocky Creek State Park is located just north of Cape Foulweather. The entrance is just north of the Otter Crest Loop Road. Anglers fish south from the entrance to Whale Cove along the rocky shore to the mouth of Rocky Creek. The fishing for bass, sea trout, cabezon and lingcod is excellent during high tide. Whale Cove is closed to fishing and the taking of shellfish and invertebrates.

129.8 Morocco Rock Quarry is located 1.3 miles south on the Otter Crest Loop Rd. Park at the quarry and follow the trail through the trees to the rocks below to excellent fishing for all rockfish species.

133.0 The Devil’s Punch Bowl is located between the Cities of Newport and Depoe Bay west of Highway 101. Turn west onto the Otter Crest Loop. Turn west on 1st or 3rd street and drive to parking area. Follow the signs to the Marine Gardens Trail off of 3rd Street or the tral to the upper end of Beverly Beach from 1st Street. The fishing for rockfish and perch is fair at best. Refer to the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulation restricting the taing of shellfish or marine invertebrates within the Otter Rock Marine Garden.

The Otter Crest Gift Shop and Interpretive Center is located on the Otter Crest Loop at Cape Foulweather off of Hwy 101. The visitas offered at The Whale Watching Center are located ten miles north of Newport. If you plan on visiting the area refer to the regulations for the taking of marine resources from Otter Rock Marine Reserve. The view of the Inn at Otter Crest was taken from the viewing area next to the Otter Crest Gift Shop.

134.1 Beverly Beach is sandy beach located north of Moolock Beach and south of the Devil’s Punch Bowl at Otter Rock. Fishing for redtail perch ranges from poor to fair. Fishing for Silver surfperch ranges to fair. There is parking on the ocean side of Highway 101 that accommodates recreational vehicles and trailers for viewing the vistas below. Park in the day use parking area at Beverly Beach State Park to visit the ocean beach. Beverly Beach State Park is a full service State Park located on the eastside of highway 101.

Beverly beach is one of the sites where four thousand year old Sitka spruce tree stumps that were uncovered by erosion from the unusual current flow caused by the weather condition El Nino.

135.0 Moolock Beach is comprised of sand and gravel. The fishing for surfperch is fair. Follow the signs to the parking area just west of Highway 101. There is a turnout on the west side of the highway that will accommodate a limited number of vehicles.

136.9 Beach Access to the southern section of Moolock Beach from NW 68th St. To access the beach turn west onto NW 68 St. and travel the short distance to the parking area. There is limited parking for a few vehicles but there is no room for truck with trailers or motorized recreational vehicles.

137.2 turn west onto NW 60 St. Go west 1 block to Agate Beach Neighborhood and Dog Park features a large fenced dog park, covered picnic shelter, small playing field, picnic tables, BBQ grill, play structure and restrooms.

137.6 Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is located on the site of a former rock quarry. The term "Outstanding Natural Area" is an accurate description of Yaquina Head. Yaquina Head was the site of extensive rock quarrying before being purchased by the BLM.

Yaquina Head is home to nesting pair of Peregrine Falcons.

The BLM created handicap accessible tide pools complete with by concrete ramps from the former rock quarry. There is an interpretive center and daily tours of Oregon’s tallest lighthouse. The lighthouse, which was built in 1873, is ninety–seven feet tall and was constructed with double tube walls using bricks. The ghost of a worker who fell to his death during construction haunts the Lighthouse and has warned some visitors of danger. The space between the double tube walls was so narrow the worker’s body was not recovered and his body was entombed between the walls where he died. The cliffs and offshore rocks are home to a variety of seabirds and seals. The viewing of migrating gray whales is a major attraction as is tide pooling. Refer to the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulation restricting the taking of shellfish or marine invertebrates within the Yaquina Head Marine Garden. Access the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area by turning west from Highway 101 onto Lighthouse Road and follow the signs to the parking lot at Quarry Cove. Some anglers park at the small parking area ¼ mile outside the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area to avoid having to pay the five dollar entry fee. The fishing at Yaquina head is renowned for the fish species associated with the rocky shore, i.e. bass, sea trout, perch, cabezon and lingcod.

137.7 Agate Beach is accessed from the pubic parking lot adjacent to Highway 101 just below the Lighthouse Road. The entrance to the parking lot is about one block down the highway from the Lighthouse Road. There is a sign at the south end of the parking lot that identifies the Lucky Gap trailhead to Agate Beach.

Clam management in Yaquina Bay from a historic perspective as compared to the Seacor maps:

Yaquina Bay Clam Study 1947

Shellfish Investigation Progress Report August 1949

Observations Horseclams 1950PR20

1949-50 Observations Horseclams 1950 PR21

Internet Links of Interest for Yaquina Bay:

Tidal Projections for South Beach at Yaquina Bay to plan future crabbing and clam digging adventures.

Tidal Projections to view the NOAA tidal projections for Oregon. Scroll down to Yaquina Bay and click on your area of interest.

Local Weather - Click to view the weather forecast for Newport at Yaquina Bay.

Recommended website: Click on the following link to see an detailed hourly forecast for weather and surf conditions on the northern Oregon Coast. Then click your coastal zone of interest to view the detail information compiled on the Marine Digital Point Forecast Matrix Interface.

Marine Weather - Click on the marine weather forecast for coastal waters from Cascade Head to Florence OR out 10 nm.

Click on the current weather conditions at the South Jetty of Yaquina Bay.

Navigational Hazards - Click on the navigational hazards to avoid when crossing the Yaquina Bay bar.

Click on Stonewall Bank Buoy Reports to view reports.

Click on National Buoy Data Center to view the observations from buoys off the Oregon Coast.

Click on Sunrise and Sunset to view at Newport.

OSU Links of Interest Click on to view weather.

The Birds of Yaquina Bay: Just the begining! Egrets on the pond

Blue Heron resting on a log at Yaquina Bay

Blue Heron feeding at Yaquina Bay

Ducks next to the bay

Osprey Nesting on an old electrical pole on the ancient marine terrace west of Hwy 101 located several blocks off of the Yaquina Bay.

Craking Cockles at Idaho Point Marina R/V Park is accessed from SE Ferry Slip Rd. to end of SE 35 th St. I could not resist taking the time to record seagulls cracking cockles on Yaquina Bay at Idaho Point Marina. Most species of bay clams are dug from the tidal flats associated with Idaho Point Marina R/V Park. Because of increased sedimentation boats are no longer launched at Idaho Point Marina. Contact: 1385 SE 35th St Newport, OR 97365 (541) 961-1086 idahopointmarina@yahoo.com

Waterfowl hunting within the Newport City and Toldeo City limits is closed in Yaquina Bay. The rest of rest of Yaquina Bay is open to hunting waterfowl. However, a number of the sloughs that provides excellent waterfowl hunting are now posted with No Trsspassing signs.

Mile by mile continuation

The South Jetty is a favorite location of fishermen trying their luck for rockfish and salmon. The anglers in the photo were trying their skill for both. Bay clams are dug from the large tidal flat that parallels the South Jetty Rd. The South Jetty has a horse loading area with short trail to beach for riding along shore . No horses are allowed inside park.

143.4 South Beach State Park is located ½ mile south of the Yaquina Bay Bridge and is a full service park. The best razor clam digging is the area just south of the jetty. South Beach is listed by ODFW as a location to dig for razor clams. The South Jetty has a horse loading area with short trail to beach for riding along shore . No horses are allowed inside South Beach State Park as shown below.

147.2 Lost Creek Ocean Wayside is located between Wandamere Beach and South Beach. The Wayside is a good location from which to access either beach. There is ample parking for all vehicles. Wandamere Beach is listed by ODFW as a location to dig for razor clams.

149.0 Beaver Creek enters the ocean at Ona Beach State Park. Ona is the Indian name for clam. The ecology of the Beaver Creek Estuary and its associated wetlands has evolved from being dominated by ranching and farming to one dominated by the natural occurring functional values associated with wetlands and estuaries. The local landowners are responsible for channelization of South Beaver Creek from S-Low Rd. to the confluence with Beaver Creek and the channelization of the Beaver Creek estuary from the confluence with South Beaver Creek to the State Park Wayside just east of Hwy. 101. Channelizing the creeks diminished the functional values of the meandering creeks to control level of the water in the creek beds. Without the meandering streambeds to hold the water the creeks continually flooded creating the wetlands common to both creeks today. The wild and scenic beauty of the Beaver Creek Estuary makes the Beaver Creek Estuary a very special place. Ona Beach State Park is a beautiful day use park and a wonderful place for a family outing. There are restrooms, picnic tables and ample parking for all vehicles. The fishing from Ona Beach is excellent for redtail surfperch in spring. Searun cutthroat trout and coho salmon return to Beaver Creek annually depending on the stream flows in August and September respectively. Beaver does not support Chinook salmon.

149.0 Boat Launch at Beaver Creek is located on the east side of Hwy 101. Turn east onto Beaver Creek Rd. and immediately right into the parking area of the boat launch. The boat launch a no use fee boat launch is operated by the Oregon Department of State Parks. The improved boat launch has toilets. The boat launch is a popular destination with kayakers and canoist.

149.0 Brian Booth State Natural Area at Beaver Creek. is located approximately 1 mile east of Hwy 101. The entrance is located on Beaver Creek Rd. just past the turnoff ot South Beaver Creek.

150.9 Seal Rock is located between the cities of Waldport and Newport. Parking at the Seal Rock Wayside is restricted to passenger vehicles. Parking is available for all vehicles at the turnouts south of the Seal Rock Wayside. Fishing is fair to excellent for all fish species associated with the rocky shore and tide pools. Fish for perch, sea trout, bass, cabezon and lingcod from the beach in front of the rocks or from the rocks as the tide recedes. Harvest mussels of off the rocks or dig for littleneck clams in the cobble and gravel substrate on the beach in front Seal Rock and for piddocks clams in the sandstone in the tidal zone located in the rocky shore. The sandy beach north of the Seal Rocks is renowned for excellent surf fishing.

To surf fish drive north through Seal Rock. Turn west into a small parking area about ¼ of a mile north of the community of Seal Rock. Park and walk down to the beach. The best fishing occurs as pictured just after dawn north of the seal rocks. The once broad sandy beach has suffered from the effects of severe beach erosion. The erosion is the result of the strong and persistent southwest current caused from El Nino and La Nina weather patterns. The sandy beach has recovered and is once again home to a harvestable population of razor clams.

The following photo of a young person harvesting mussels from the rocks at the turn of the Century. The photo clearly shows the environmental condition of the mussel bed. The photo was taken to demonstrate the method used to harvest mussels from a typical bed of mussels. Notice the absence of the marine growth that is seemingly out of control driven by environmental conditions. The abundance of the marine growth was not present at the time the photo was taken.

My friends and I visited Head's Beach numerous times in the intervening period between the above photo and the video clip of my friend Dutch harvesting mussels and my friend Walter and I trip there to check out the rumors of razor clams on the beach and to harvest mussels from our favorite mussel bed.

The CDAO does not recommend consuming mussels harvested from the mussel beds at Seal Rock until thee marine growth issue is resolved.

This amazing sunset greeted our arrival at the mussel beds at Head's Beach to harvest the mussels for the high school project to determine the extent of micro plastic contamination of mussels alone the Oregon coast.

The rock is just packed with mussels and with all of the marine growth evident the mussels look more like a swarm of bees than a bed of mussels. The last time I harvested mussels there was hardly any marine growth. I picked a limit of 72 mussels at the request of the high school student who will study the mussels for micro plastic contamination in the mussels.

From Hwy 101 turn west onto Sandpiper Dr. NW. Hidden Lake a 3.6 acre lake is located in the Sandpiper Village Section of Waldport off of NW Shore Dr. off of NW Sandpiper Dr. The lake contains largemouth bass and brown bull catfish. There are no launching facilities; so, it is car top boats only. There are three small unamed lakes located south and north of the entrance to Sandpiper Village. There are largemouth bass in the two lakes on the north side of the entrance to Sandpiper Village. The lake just south of Sandpiper contains wild cutthroat trout.

153.2 Driftwood Beach State Wayside is located between Waldport and Seal Rock and is an excellent location to fish for redtail surfperch and dig for razor clams. There are picnic tables, restrooms and ample parking for all for all vehicles.

154.8 North Shore Alsea Bay access for crabbing and digging bay clams from Bayshore on the North Shore. Turn west from Hwy 101 onto NW Bayshore Dr. Follow North Bayshore Dr. to the end on the north shore of Alsea Bay. Park and crab from the remnants of the old boat ramp. Follow the directions on the Seacor clam distribution map of Alsea Bay to dig bay clams from this area of the bay.