12-20-2007, 09:10 PM
North and central coast reopened to most shellfish harvesting following flood event Mussel harvesting still closed due to PSP toxins
Sampling and testing indicates that water quality has returned to pre-flood-event levels so the Oregon Department of Agriculture announced the reopening of commercial and recreational harvest of clams on the north and central coast with the exception of commercial harvesting of clams in Tillamook Bay. Recreational mussel harvesting remains closed along coastal beaches, rock, jetties, and at the entrance to bays from north of Siletz Bay to the Columbia River due to elevated levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). That closure, due to naturally-occurring marine toxins, has been in effect since October.
Recreational shellfish harvesting south of Yaquina Bay on the Oregon coast has remained open this fall. Commercial and recreational harvest of Dungeness crab along the north and central coast reopened earlier this week.
Information and tips on crabbing and clamming in Oregon
FISHING
Boat maneuvers through debris in Garabaldi, Dec. 07
- Photo by Kathy Munsel-<br />
Anglers, particularly boaters, should use extreme caution when fishing local waters. Many roads are blocked or damaged, and large amounts of debris is present in most rivers. Log jams or other hazards may be present in many places. Silt and other debris will make launching boats difficult at some ramps until they can be cleaned up.
NORTH COAST LAKES:
Surplus hatchery summer steelhead were released in Town and Cape Meares lakes recently. Approximately 175 fish have been released in Town Lake and 87 in Cape Meares Lake.<br />
Forest roads leading to several local lakes may be damaged or blocked. Anglers should check with the appropriate land manager about road conditions prior to heading out.
MID COAST LAKES:
Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes (located just south of Florence along Hwy 101) are open to wild coho salmon retention through Dec. 31. The daily bag limit is one adult coho salmon and one jack coho salmon. Anglers are limited to retaining five adult coho, in combination, from Siltcoos and Tahkenitch lakes during the season. The coho fishing boundaries are as follows.<br />
The waters of Siltcoos Lake open for coho angling are defined as that area upstream from the Highway 101 Bridge and downstream of the railroad trestle on the Maple Creek arm and the Fivemile Road crossing on the Fiddle Creek arm.
The waters of Tahkenitch Lake open for coho angling are defined as that area upstream from the Highway 101 Bridge and downstream of the first road crossing on the Leitel Creek arm and the ODFW Marker at the bridge on the 059 Road just west of Douglas County Road 49.
North Coast Steelhead<br />
- Oregon Fish and Wildlife-<br />
ALSEA RIVER: winter steelhead
Fishing is slow at Alsea Hatchery, but good from Alsea on downstream. Quite a few large fish are being caught. Anglers have been picking up a few winter steelhead in the mainstem river. Both drift boat fishing and bank angling is productive using a variety of baits, jigs and other lures. River conditions are looking favorable for the coming week. Good returns typically start to show by the end of the month.
Current river levels
BIG CREEK: steelhead
Some winter steelhead are being caught below the hatchery. Decent numbers of fish are beginning to arrive. Fishing should be improving.
GNAT CREEK: steelhead
A few winter steelhead are being caught in the lower river.
Fisherman<br />
Oregon Fish and Wildlife<br />
KILCHIS RIVER: chinook, steelhead
Angling for fall chinook and winter steelhead is slow to fair. More winter steelhead are beginning to show in the catch. A large tree is partially blocking the river just above the 101 takeout. Boaters should use extreme caution, especially as flows drop.
Current river levels for major north coast streams
NECANICUM RIVER: steelhead
A few winter steelhead are being caught. Angling has improved over the last week as more fish moved into the system. Concentrate on the lower river for best success. Boaters should use extreme caution. Log and debris jams may be present in one or more locations. The Kloochy Cr. Park bridge is closed to vehicle access.
NEHALEM RIVER:
The Nehalem River Road is closed at the Salmonberry River. Flood waters blew out the bridge over the Salmonberry. Use alternate routes.
NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: steelhead
Angling for winter steelhead is slow to fair overall. Best angling is below the hatchery, but a few fish are being caught upstream as well. Boaters beware- downed trees or other hazards may create problems. Anglers may call 503-368-5670 for recorded fishing information.
Chinook Salmon<br />
-Oregon Fish and Wildlife-<br />
NESTUCCA RIVER AND THREE RIVERS: chinook, steelhead
Fall chinook angling is very slow. The few remaining fish are mostly dark and should be released to spawn. Winter steelhead angling improved last week with decent catches in Three Rivers below the hatchery. Anglers in the main river are catching fish now that the river has cleared. Hatchery fish have been caught in the lower river and upstream above Beaver.
SALMON RIVER: chinook, coho, winter steelhead
Fishing for chinook and hatchery coho has nearly ceased. Any remaining fish will be dark and spawning, these fish should be released. A few winter steelhead are starting to return with better numbers expected to start showing in January.
SILETZ RIVER: chinook, steelhead
The fall chinook fishery is slow throughout the basin and nearly over. With a small return this season anglers are having a difficult time catching fresh bright fish. Most fish this time of year are dark and preferably should be released to spawn. Winter steelhead have been observed throughout the river and fishing is starting to pick up. Drift boat angling is the most productive early on fishing from Logsden down to Morgan Park. Floating and/or back bouncing fresh baits, jigs and lures can be very productive.
Current river levels and forecasts
SIUSLAW RIVER: chinook, winter steelhead
The fall chinook fishery is slow and nearly ceased. Most fish in the system are now very dark and spawning, these fish should be released unharmed. Some early winter steelhead are beginning to show up and be caught in the lower river. Drift boat angling is the most productive early on as more water can be covered. Drifting or back bouncing fresh bait, jigs or other lures can be very productive.
Current river levels and forecasts
Fisherman braving Tillomook Bay after the December '07 storm<br />
- Photo by Kathy Munsel -
TILLAMOOK BAY: chinook, sturgeon
Fall chinook fishing is winding down. A few fish are still available, but angling will be sporadic for the most part.
Angling for sturgeon should be good. Recent muddy waters should have stirred up food sources and drawn more fish into the bay.
WILSON RIVER: chinook, steelhead
The river has receded from flood levels, but is muddy and clearing very slowly at this time. Check river conditions before heading out. A few winter steelhead and late fall chinook will be available when river conditions improve. The river upstream from the North Fork is clearer and a few winter steelhead should be available.
TRASK RIVER: chinook, steelhead
A log jam is blocking the river at the railroad bridge. Do not attempt to float downstream of Lorens Drift. A few fall chinook and early winter steelhead are present in the river. Angling is fair overall, but improving for winter steelhead as more fish arrive.
KILCHIS RIVERS: chinook, steelhead
Angling for fall chinook and winter steelhead is slow to fair. The river was one of the first to clear after the flood. A large tree is partially blocking the river just above the 101 takeout. Boaters should use extreme caution, especially as flows drop.
Current river levels for major north coast streams
YAQUINA RIVER: chinook
The fall Chinook fishery has nearly ceased with most remaining fish very dark and spawning. Winter steelhead will start showing any time now. The best option is to fish Big Elk Creek starting just above tide water.
Back to the top
HUNTING
Visit the region's Fall Hunting Forecast
OPEN: Waterfowl, blue grouse, ruffed grouse, California quail, mountain quail, bear, cougar, crow
Ruffed Grouse<br />
- Oregon Fish and Wildlife-
Forest grouse and mountain quail
Look for these birds while they search for their meal of seeds, insects and grit along graveled roads in the forest. Hunters targeting the blue grouse should look in upper elevations, especially forested areas on ridge tops. Ruffed grouse are more common along stream bottoms and mid-slope areas. Mountain quail should be found in older, brushy clear cuts, especially on south facing slopes, and tend to be more abundant in the eastern half of the coast range than the western half. ODFW staff observed higher than average number of grouse and moderate numbers of mountain quail on summer surveys in the Coast range.
Waterfowl
Green-winged Teal<br />
- Photo by Greg Gillson-
Duck season on the north coast in December tends to be better when there is freezing weather in the Willamette Valley, pushing more birds to the coast. Dry periods tend to enhance hunting on coastal bays as there is less water in fields and pastures to disperse feeding birds. With recent groups of mallards, wigeon, pintails and teal on north coast estuaries, the "rafts" of ducks on the bays are larger than earlier in the season. Generally, the weather usually plays a large role in the success of hunters on a given day, with the best conditions being on the onset of storms when birds are leaving the large water bodies and seeking shelter in vegetated areas along the edges of estuaries and lakes. Goose hunting reopened in Tillamook County for Northwest Oregon Special Permit holders on Dec. 15 and runs on Saturdays and Sundays thereafter through early March. Check the game bird regulations for special closures, bag limit, checkout and other information regarding goose hunting on the north coast.
Bear and cougar
Black Bear<br />
Oregon Fish and Wildlife<br />
Black Bear are becoming much less active on the north coast and most have likely denned up for the winter. Some large boars may still be active and activity may increase during periods of warmer weather when they will emerge from dens for a short time. A strategy for hunting them in the early morning and late evening hours is watching clear-cuts, old meadows and natural openings. At other times during the day, use of a predator call is the best approach. Generally, long and persistent calling is the most effective way to call them in.
All indicators point to the north coast as having relatively low cougar densities, when compared to most of the rest of the state. However, they can still be located, especially if hunters are dedicated to using calls as their primary strategy. Like with black bear, cougar are probably most effectively hunted by long and persistent calling with a predator call.
Sampling and testing indicates that water quality has returned to pre-flood-event levels so the Oregon Department of Agriculture announced the reopening of commercial and recreational harvest of clams on the north and central coast with the exception of commercial harvesting of clams in Tillamook Bay. Recreational mussel harvesting remains closed along coastal beaches, rock, jetties, and at the entrance to bays from north of Siletz Bay to the Columbia River due to elevated levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). That closure, due to naturally-occurring marine toxins, has been in effect since October.
Recreational shellfish harvesting south of Yaquina Bay on the Oregon coast has remained open this fall. Commercial and recreational harvest of Dungeness crab along the north and central coast reopened earlier this week.
Information and tips on crabbing and clamming in Oregon
FISHING
Boat maneuvers through debris in Garabaldi, Dec. 07
- Photo by Kathy Munsel-<br />
Anglers, particularly boaters, should use extreme caution when fishing local waters. Many roads are blocked or damaged, and large amounts of debris is present in most rivers. Log jams or other hazards may be present in many places. Silt and other debris will make launching boats difficult at some ramps until they can be cleaned up.
NORTH COAST LAKES:
Surplus hatchery summer steelhead were released in Town and Cape Meares lakes recently. Approximately 175 fish have been released in Town Lake and 87 in Cape Meares Lake.<br />
Forest roads leading to several local lakes may be damaged or blocked. Anglers should check with the appropriate land manager about road conditions prior to heading out.
MID COAST LAKES:
Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes (located just south of Florence along Hwy 101) are open to wild coho salmon retention through Dec. 31. The daily bag limit is one adult coho salmon and one jack coho salmon. Anglers are limited to retaining five adult coho, in combination, from Siltcoos and Tahkenitch lakes during the season. The coho fishing boundaries are as follows.<br />
The waters of Siltcoos Lake open for coho angling are defined as that area upstream from the Highway 101 Bridge and downstream of the railroad trestle on the Maple Creek arm and the Fivemile Road crossing on the Fiddle Creek arm.
The waters of Tahkenitch Lake open for coho angling are defined as that area upstream from the Highway 101 Bridge and downstream of the first road crossing on the Leitel Creek arm and the ODFW Marker at the bridge on the 059 Road just west of Douglas County Road 49.
North Coast Steelhead<br />
- Oregon Fish and Wildlife-<br />
ALSEA RIVER: winter steelhead
Fishing is slow at Alsea Hatchery, but good from Alsea on downstream. Quite a few large fish are being caught. Anglers have been picking up a few winter steelhead in the mainstem river. Both drift boat fishing and bank angling is productive using a variety of baits, jigs and other lures. River conditions are looking favorable for the coming week. Good returns typically start to show by the end of the month.
Current river levels
BIG CREEK: steelhead
Some winter steelhead are being caught below the hatchery. Decent numbers of fish are beginning to arrive. Fishing should be improving.
GNAT CREEK: steelhead
A few winter steelhead are being caught in the lower river.
Fisherman<br />
Oregon Fish and Wildlife<br />
KILCHIS RIVER: chinook, steelhead
Angling for fall chinook and winter steelhead is slow to fair. More winter steelhead are beginning to show in the catch. A large tree is partially blocking the river just above the 101 takeout. Boaters should use extreme caution, especially as flows drop.
Current river levels for major north coast streams
NECANICUM RIVER: steelhead
A few winter steelhead are being caught. Angling has improved over the last week as more fish moved into the system. Concentrate on the lower river for best success. Boaters should use extreme caution. Log and debris jams may be present in one or more locations. The Kloochy Cr. Park bridge is closed to vehicle access.
NEHALEM RIVER:
The Nehalem River Road is closed at the Salmonberry River. Flood waters blew out the bridge over the Salmonberry. Use alternate routes.
NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: steelhead
Angling for winter steelhead is slow to fair overall. Best angling is below the hatchery, but a few fish are being caught upstream as well. Boaters beware- downed trees or other hazards may create problems. Anglers may call 503-368-5670 for recorded fishing information.
Chinook Salmon<br />
-Oregon Fish and Wildlife-<br />
NESTUCCA RIVER AND THREE RIVERS: chinook, steelhead
Fall chinook angling is very slow. The few remaining fish are mostly dark and should be released to spawn. Winter steelhead angling improved last week with decent catches in Three Rivers below the hatchery. Anglers in the main river are catching fish now that the river has cleared. Hatchery fish have been caught in the lower river and upstream above Beaver.
SALMON RIVER: chinook, coho, winter steelhead
Fishing for chinook and hatchery coho has nearly ceased. Any remaining fish will be dark and spawning, these fish should be released. A few winter steelhead are starting to return with better numbers expected to start showing in January.
SILETZ RIVER: chinook, steelhead
The fall chinook fishery is slow throughout the basin and nearly over. With a small return this season anglers are having a difficult time catching fresh bright fish. Most fish this time of year are dark and preferably should be released to spawn. Winter steelhead have been observed throughout the river and fishing is starting to pick up. Drift boat angling is the most productive early on fishing from Logsden down to Morgan Park. Floating and/or back bouncing fresh baits, jigs and lures can be very productive.
Current river levels and forecasts
SIUSLAW RIVER: chinook, winter steelhead
The fall chinook fishery is slow and nearly ceased. Most fish in the system are now very dark and spawning, these fish should be released unharmed. Some early winter steelhead are beginning to show up and be caught in the lower river. Drift boat angling is the most productive early on as more water can be covered. Drifting or back bouncing fresh bait, jigs or other lures can be very productive.
Current river levels and forecasts
Fisherman braving Tillomook Bay after the December '07 storm<br />
- Photo by Kathy Munsel -
TILLAMOOK BAY: chinook, sturgeon
Fall chinook fishing is winding down. A few fish are still available, but angling will be sporadic for the most part.
Angling for sturgeon should be good. Recent muddy waters should have stirred up food sources and drawn more fish into the bay.
WILSON RIVER: chinook, steelhead
The river has receded from flood levels, but is muddy and clearing very slowly at this time. Check river conditions before heading out. A few winter steelhead and late fall chinook will be available when river conditions improve. The river upstream from the North Fork is clearer and a few winter steelhead should be available.
TRASK RIVER: chinook, steelhead
A log jam is blocking the river at the railroad bridge. Do not attempt to float downstream of Lorens Drift. A few fall chinook and early winter steelhead are present in the river. Angling is fair overall, but improving for winter steelhead as more fish arrive.
KILCHIS RIVERS: chinook, steelhead
Angling for fall chinook and winter steelhead is slow to fair. The river was one of the first to clear after the flood. A large tree is partially blocking the river just above the 101 takeout. Boaters should use extreme caution, especially as flows drop.
Current river levels for major north coast streams
YAQUINA RIVER: chinook
The fall Chinook fishery has nearly ceased with most remaining fish very dark and spawning. Winter steelhead will start showing any time now. The best option is to fish Big Elk Creek starting just above tide water.
Back to the top
HUNTING
Visit the region's Fall Hunting Forecast
OPEN: Waterfowl, blue grouse, ruffed grouse, California quail, mountain quail, bear, cougar, crow
Ruffed Grouse<br />
- Oregon Fish and Wildlife-
Forest grouse and mountain quail
Look for these birds while they search for their meal of seeds, insects and grit along graveled roads in the forest. Hunters targeting the blue grouse should look in upper elevations, especially forested areas on ridge tops. Ruffed grouse are more common along stream bottoms and mid-slope areas. Mountain quail should be found in older, brushy clear cuts, especially on south facing slopes, and tend to be more abundant in the eastern half of the coast range than the western half. ODFW staff observed higher than average number of grouse and moderate numbers of mountain quail on summer surveys in the Coast range.
Waterfowl
Green-winged Teal<br />
- Photo by Greg Gillson-
Duck season on the north coast in December tends to be better when there is freezing weather in the Willamette Valley, pushing more birds to the coast. Dry periods tend to enhance hunting on coastal bays as there is less water in fields and pastures to disperse feeding birds. With recent groups of mallards, wigeon, pintails and teal on north coast estuaries, the "rafts" of ducks on the bays are larger than earlier in the season. Generally, the weather usually plays a large role in the success of hunters on a given day, with the best conditions being on the onset of storms when birds are leaving the large water bodies and seeking shelter in vegetated areas along the edges of estuaries and lakes. Goose hunting reopened in Tillamook County for Northwest Oregon Special Permit holders on Dec. 15 and runs on Saturdays and Sundays thereafter through early March. Check the game bird regulations for special closures, bag limit, checkout and other information regarding goose hunting on the north coast.
Bear and cougar
Black Bear<br />
Oregon Fish and Wildlife<br />
Black Bear are becoming much less active on the north coast and most have likely denned up for the winter. Some large boars may still be active and activity may increase during periods of warmer weather when they will emerge from dens for a short time. A strategy for hunting them in the early morning and late evening hours is watching clear-cuts, old meadows and natural openings. At other times during the day, use of a predator call is the best approach. Generally, long and persistent calling is the most effective way to call them in.
All indicators point to the north coast as having relatively low cougar densities, when compared to most of the rest of the state. However, they can still be located, especially if hunters are dedicated to using calls as their primary strategy. Like with black bear, cougar are probably most effectively hunted by long and persistent calling with a predator call.