Netarts Bay

   Here's a question for the OR cats----is Netarts Bay open to any kind of fishing----like salmon???  What's there?  We are coming down for a week of camping at Cape Lookout, and bringing the Hobies, starting Thursady PM.  Would like any/all info about the Bay as a family kayaking experience.  Thanx in advance...

It is great for crabbing and clamming.  However, no major rivers feed it so I don't believe the salmon are there.  I have only gone kayak crabbing and clamming there.  I trolled a lure while heading in and out to set pots hoping maybe there would be a flounder or something, but was never successful.  It is an easy enjoyable paddle when the tidal current isn't ripping in or out too bad. 
-Craig

Netarts is closed to all salmon/steelhead fishing.  There is a hatchery on a small feeder creek/river that is being used to help establish a run.   Lacking any real structure (all sand) it has no real "rockfish/ling" fishery.  It does have perch and they are best fished along the sharp depth changes at the edges of the eel grass beds. I have grown up around the bay since I was in diapers and the last flounder I caught was when a bike was still my main mode of travel.  Clamming and crabbing is the main game and lately it is really feeling the pinch of overuse.  Know your regs as the State Police are concentrating on curbing illegal harvest that lately has become to common place.  Surf perch are common off the beach of  cape lookout. Great ocean rockfishing can be had offshore just a few miles north and south of Netart's, but require a surf launch.  For salmon (which are there now) take your hobies over to tillamook bay, launch at memaloose point boat launch (west side) and troll spinners, size 6 or 7 thumpers, light bulb or half red half white will put you in the game (tillamook sporting goods will have what you need) for spring chinook.  There will be other boats around and just do what they do. PM me if you have any specific questions.

Hmmm...daughter has an Oregon license, should I bring my little crab pot???   As for salmon----requires an Oregon license, yes? 

I just looked up the license fees for non-residents, for seniors it's $15 for saltwater, unless I'm missing something.  Checking to see if I can get one online.

Anyone actively participating in crabbing/clamming require a "shellfish permit" and Oregon requires a license  for all angling. Salmon/steelhead/sturgeon require an additional tag, but "day licenses" are cheap and will cover all angling bases for that day (but still need a shellfish license if you plan to crab or clam)

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/online_license_sales/what.asp#annual

If all this was happening this weekend (June 11 & 12) fishing/crabbing would be free (no license required)

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/news/2011/june/060211c.asp

We're heading down there Thursday.  Will stop in Astoria and get needed licenses/permits.  Thanks for the info, guys.  I've been hearing about Tillamook kings for a  few years, but thought it's more a late Aug-Sept fishery???

There is also a run of "springers" in addition to the more known fall run

Kalli - make sure you hike the cape too.  The views are awesome and its worth it to push on to the end.  I recall its about 3 miles round trip from the upper parking lot. 

Great help, thanks.  Dunno where I got the $15 figure, the current regs have it a lot more expensive...will get a 3-day license.

you can also buy the "one day" license over and over if that would allow you more flexibility in planning your activities