Fall Chinook salmon on the Tillamook Coast
The Tillamook County fall Chinook salmon fishing season begins in mid-September and lasts well into mid-November. Fall Chinook salmon can measure up to the 40 lb. mark, with most coming in at 25 lbs. or better.
Tillamook Bay is fed by five tributaries
The Wilson, Trask, Kilchis, Tillamook, and Miami Rivers feed into Tillamook Bay. There are two main tactics for catching one of these trophy fish. Spinner fishing is very popular from the upper bay of Bay City up to the Tillamook River. Herring works great from Bay City to the Pacific Ocean. The fall Chinook are also running in the Wilson River, Trask River, Nestucca River, and the Nehalem River.
Tillamook Bay: Second largest bay on the Oregon Coast
Tillamook is known for its outstanding runs of salmon as well as its trophy Chinook salmon known as “Hogs.” Tillamook Bay is also the second largest bay on the Oregon Coast and it has a lot of different locations to fish.
The most popular rivers
The Trask and Tillamook Rivers have the most access. The Trask and Wilson Rivers have the most salmon runs and are the most popular. Boat fishers troll spinners, or anchor fish with bait wrapped plugs. They can also cast slip bobber rigs baited with shrimp and salmon eggs. Many bank anglers can also be seen casting bobber and eggs to catch the big Chinook salmon.
If you want to hire a qualified Tillamook Coast guide and charter boat you can find a list here.
