Nestucca Bay Fishing
A coastal bay in Tillamook County, about 2,766 acres of tidal habitat.
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The quick picture on Nestucca Bay
PMEP maps Nestucca Bay at about 1,119 hectares of tidal habitat, near 2,766 acres, in Tillamook County. Class: riverine estuary. Boats crossing out enter the Central Oregon Coast Subarea. Lincoln City, near 14 miles off, is the closest town.
OSMB lists 6 launch sites. 3 dock, pier or jetty sites let you fish without a boat. ODFW points crabbers and clammers to it with a dedicated page. There are 1 marine reserve or protected area close by.
Pacific Marine and Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership estuary extent (PMEP), read November 2, 2026. Census 2023 places.
Launches that reach Nestucca Bay
- Cloverdale boat ramp on Nestucca RiverNestucca River; 1 lane, trailered launch; parking, use fee; Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Fishers Point boat ramp on Nestucca RiverNestucca River; trailered launch; parking, restrooms, use fee; Tillamook County
- Little Nestucca RampLittle Nestucca River; 1 lane, trailered launch; parking, restrooms, use fee; Tillamook County
- Nestucca Sporting Goods boat rampNestucca River; trailered launch; parking; Private
- Pacific City Landing on Nestucca RiverNestucca River; 1 lane, trailered launch; parking, restrooms, use fee; Tillamook County
- Raines Resort launch on Nestucca RiverNestucca River; hand carry launch; parking, hand launch; Private
Fishing Nestucca Bay from shore
- Pacific City Beach at Cape Kiwanda on Nestucca Bayshore site
- Bob Straub State Park on Nestucca Bayshore site
- Fisher Point Launch on Nestucca Bayjetty
Oregon State Marine Board Boating Access Sites layer (OSMB ArcGIS), read November 2, 2026; status as OSMB publishes it. Oregon Coastal Management Program (DLCD) Shoreline Access Inventory (layer) and the ODFW shore access map, read November 2, 2026.
Named arms of Nestucca Bay
- Nestucca Baybay
Each name sits inside the PMEP outline of Nestucca Bay, per GNIS.
USGS GNIS domestic names inside the PMEP estuary extent, read November 2, 2026.
Shellfish areas of Nestucca Bay
ODFW describes the shellfish areas of Nestucca Bay this way:
You'll find crab areas and softshell clamming opportunities in the southern part of the bay. These charts depict popular, productive shellfishing areas. Bay clam and crab species occur in other areas within Nestucca Bay, but may be less popular to access. Additionally, many other species of shellfish, some popular for harvest (e.g., bait shrimp, razor clams, etc.) may be present, but not represented here.
Area 1: Can be reached by either boat or beach access. Beach access is obtained from Brooten Rd., approximately 1 mile south of Pacific City. Softshell clams can be found throughout this area. These mud flats can have soft spots where walking may be difficult. For digging, using a shovel or clam gun would be best.
Area 2: Will require a boat for crabbing. Pots may be set anywhere within this area.
: Boat launches in Nestucca Bay can be found at the following locations:
Fisher Landing/Guardrail Hole: Approximately 1 mile south of Pacific City, off Brooten Rd.
Where to crab & clam in Nestucca Bay, myodfw.com, read November 2, 2026.
Tides and water level near Nestucca Bay
- Cascade Head, Salmon RiverNOAA tide predictions
Check the tide tables before digging or crabbing at Nestucca Bay.
NOAA CO-OPS stations and tide predictions, read November 2, 2026.
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| Species | Daily limit as printed | Season |
|---|---|---|
| General Marine Species: Rockfish ("sea bass", "snapper"), Greenling (“. | Bag limits are set after this book is printed. Check current regulations before fishing on the Sport Bottomfish Seasons page. Retention of yelloweye and quillback rockfishes is prohibited. | Waters are open 24 hours per day. The offshore long-leader fishery is limited to fishing seaward of the 40-fathom regulatory line. |
| Lingcod (including green-colored lingcod) | 3 fish. | Waters are open 24 hours per day. The offshore long-leader fishery is limited to fishing seaward of the 40-fathom regulatory line. |
| Sablefish (black cod) | 10 fish. | Waters are open 24 hours per day. The offshore long-leader fishery is limited to fishing seaward of the 40-fathom regulatory line. |
| Flatfish (flounders, soles, sanddabs, turbots, and halibuts except Pac. | 25 fish in aggregate. | Waters are open 24 hours per day. The offshore long-leader fishery is limited to fishing seaward of the 40-fathom regulatory line. |
| Surfperch (includes all marine perch species) | 15 fish in aggregate. | Waters open all year, 24 hours per day, unless noted under Management Designations for Marine Areas. |
| Herring, Anchovy, Sardine, Topsmelt, Jacksmelt, and true smelts | 25 pounds in aggregate. | Waters open all year, 24 hours per day, unless noted under Management Designations for Marine Areas. |
| Offshore Pelagic Species: Includes all tuna and mackerel species, swor. | 25 fish in aggregate. White shark, basking shark, mega-mouth shark, and oceanic whitetip shark are prohibited and must be immediately released unharmed. | Waters open all year, 24 hours per day, unless noted under Management Designations for Marine Areas. |
| Striped Bass and/or Hybrid Bass | No limit | Waters open all year, 24 hours per day, unless noted under Management Designations for Marine Areas. |
| Sturgeon | Catch-and-release only. | Open all year. |
| Salmon and Steelhead | Ocean salmon and steelhead seasons and restrictions are set each April by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. Regulations are published each May and are available from license agents. | Ocean salmon and steelhead seasons and restrictions are set each April by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. |
| Pacific Halibut | May be taken by angling with a single line, no more than 2 hooks; and by spear. Pacific halibut seasons are managed and enforced based on port of landing. | May be taken by angling with a single line, no more than 2 hooks; and by spear. Pacific halibut seasons are managed and enforced based on port of landing. |
| Razor Clams | First 15 dug (no sorting or releasing). | Waters open all year, 24 hours per day Exceptions: Razor clams are closed Jul 15 to Sep 30 north of Tillamook Head (Clatsop County) Shellfish harvests may be cl. |
Halibut and salmon seasons in Nestucca Bay
| Fishery and area | Season | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| crab, Bays, beaches, estuaries, tide pools, piers and jetties | Open for crabbing all year, 24 hours per day. | Dungeness crab 12 (males only); 5-3/4" minimum size |
Ocean seasons as published by ODFW (myodfw.com, myodfw.com, dfw.state.or.us, eregulations.com), read November 2, 2026; ODFW changes ocean seasons in season.
Marine Zone limits cover Nestucca Bay; check any river line for salmon.
An Oregon angling license ($50 resident, $138 nonresident for 2026) covers anglers 12 and older; ocean fishing from boats, beaches and jetties now also needs the Ocean Endorsement ($9 annual) unless you fish only for salmon or steelhead.
Limits as printed in the 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations (ODFW, eRegulations edition) (Marine Zone page), read November 2, 2026.
Crossing the bar from Nestucca Bay
Beyond the bar at Nestucca Bay the Central Oregon Coast Subarea rules apply; halibut: Spring All-Depth Season: May 1 through July 31, seven days per week, or until the quota is caught.
Marine protected areas around Nestucca Bay
- Cascade Head North Marine Protected AreaAllowed take: salmon by troll, crab, and recreational take of groundfish by hook-and-line from private boats., 12.21 sq mi
ODFW Marine Reserve and Marine Protected Area Boundaries (layer), read November 2, 2026; full rules on oregonmarinereserves.com.
Nestucca Bay beside other Oregon bays
| Bay or estuary | Distance | Acres (PMEP) | OSMB launches | Shore sites | Marinas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nestucca Bay | 2,766 | 6 | 3 | 0 | |
| Sand Lake | 7 miles north | 1,177 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Salmon River estuary | 11 miles south | 882 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Netarts Bay | 15 miles north | 2,634 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Siletz Bay | 20 miles south | 2,711 | 7 | 1 | 3 |
| Tillamook Bay | 24 miles north | 14,028 | 10 | 9 | 3 |
PMEP extents, OSMB launches, DLCD and ODFW shore sites, Clean Marina list; read November 2, 2026.
More Oregon water a drive from Nestucca Bay
Other Oregon rivers near the Nestucca Bay
- Nestucca Riverunder a mile
- Little Nestucca River1 mile
- Siletz River20 miles
- Trask River20 miles
Nearby lakes worth a look after Nestucca Bay
- Town Lake3 miles north
- Hebo Lake8 miles northeast
- South Lake11 miles east
- Devils Lake (Lincoln County)14 miles south
Stores that outfit trips to Nestucca Bay
- Bi-Mart (Lincoln City)sporting goods store, Lincoln City, 16 miles
- Tillamook Sporting Goodsbait and tackle shop, Tillamook, 21 miles
- Sunset Landingbait and tackle shop, Lincoln City, 21 miles
- Tillamook Bait Cobait and tackle shop, Tillamook, 21 miles
- Wyld Edge Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Tillamook, 23 miles
- Garibaldi Marinamarina, Garibaldi
Guided trips on Nestucca Bay
- Garibaldi Charterscharter, Garibaldi, (503) 322-0007
- Haystack Fishingcharter, Pacific City, (503) 679-9028
- Jb and Water Sport Fishing Charterscharter, Garibaldi, (503) 322-3474
- Kerri Lin Charterscharter, Rockaway Beach, (503) 355-2439
- Meanwhile Charters LLCcharter, Garibaldi, (503) 410-0289
- Nor'wester Charterscharter, Cloverdale, (503) 965-2238
- Siggi-G Ocean Charterscharter, Garibaldi, (503) 322-3285
Oregon towns to sleep in near Nestucca Bay
- Lincoln City14 miles
- Tillamook20 miles
- Bay City24 miles
County fishing pages tied to Nestucca Bay
- Tillamook Countyseat: Tillamook
A Piscifun kit worth stowing before you head to Nestucca Bay
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What the Nestucca Bay species look like
Photo: Ed Bierman, CC BY 2.0
Photo: gailhampshire, CC BY 2.0
Nestucca Bay, the usual questions settled
Where is Nestucca Bay?
Aim for Tillamook County, about 14 miles from Lincoln City.
What size is Nestucca Bay on the map?
Roughly 2,766 acres (1,119 hectares) on the PMEP layer.
Where do crab boats put in at Nestucca Bay?
OSMB maps 6 launch sites; Cloverdale boat ramp on Nestucca River is one.
Does ODFW cover clamming at Nestucca Bay?
See the ODFW text in the shellfish band. Bring a shellfish license.
Which rules apply at Nestucca Bay?
Razor Clams: First 15 dug (no sorting or releasing).
Do I need the Ocean Endorsement at Nestucca Bay?
An Oregon angling license ($50 resident, $138 nonresident for 2026) covers anglers 12 and older; ocean fishing from boats, beaches and jetties now also needs the Ocean Endorsement ($9 annual) unless you fish only for salmon or steelhead.
Where can I fish Nestucca Bay from an Oregon dock or jetty?
3 shore sites are mapped, including Pacific City Beach at Cape Kiwanda on Nestucca Bay.
Where can I buy an ODFW license near Nestucca Bay?
Try Bi-Mart (Lincoln City), roughly 16 miles away.
Which tide station is nearest Nestucca Bay?
NOAA predictions for Cascade Head, Salmon River are linked in the tides band.
Can I fish the reserves near Nestucca Bay?
Check the rules for Cascade Head North Marine Protected Area.
Pack the crab rings for Nestucca Bay
Read the zone rows, then choose the launch closest to your water.