There are five rivers that flow into Tillamook Bay, producing some of the best bay fishing, clam digging and crabbing west of the Mississippi. Nehalem Bay, Tillamook Bay, and Netarts Bay all have local marinas where boats and equipment can be rented and bait purchased.
Jetty Fishery also offers a guided experience. You can harvest crabs directly from the docks at the marinas. You can secure the necessary supplies for Nestucca Bay in nearby Pacific City. Several other marinas in Tillamook County include Garibaldi Marina, Kelly’s Brighton Marina, Netarts Bay Marina, and Wheeler Marina, which are also great Oregon Coast crabbing spots.
Didn’t get your Dungeness crab today?
That’s okay: head back to Kelly’s Brighton Marina and watch as the staff pulls a Dungeness crab from the live well, cooks, and cleans it. Then you get to eat it!
Fishing
Fishing on Oregon’s Tillamook Coast is a year-round activity. With three bays, five major rivers (and several smaller ones), a couple of lakes and of course, the Pacific Ocean, you can fish the way you want – fly fishing, deep sea, dock, boat or dory.
Salmon, steelhead, tuna and lingcod are the top four – but there’s lots more to catch, including dinner. Go out on your own or with a guide. For an unforgettable experience, launch from the beach in Pacific City with the dory fleet.
Gear up with your rain jacket, a bucket, shovel and some die-hard determination, and you can dig up tonight’s dinner just beneath the surface. Digging for clams takes a little research and just the right timing. It’s exhilarating, like digging for lost treasure. Your best bet is to go during a minus tide. Spring and summer months are best. Make sure you get a shiny new Oregon shellfish license first!