Salmon River estuary Fishing
A coastal estuary in Lincoln County, about 882 acres of tidal habitat.
Pick for salmonPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Yaquina Head: Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington, CC BY 2.0
Opening notes on Salmon River estuary
Salmon River estuary covers about 357 hectares on the PMEP map of Lincoln County, near 882 acres. The class on file is riverine estuary. Past the bar lies the Central Oregon Coast Subarea. The nearest Census place is Lincoln City, about 4 miles from the estuary point.
Boaters can use 1 launch site from the OSMB layer. Within 10 miles are 4 marine reserves or protected areas.
Pacific Marine and Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership estuary extent (PMEP), read November 2, 2026. Census 2023 places.
For the salmon herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Where boaters put in for Salmon River estuary
- Knight Park on Salmon River estuarySalmon River (Lincoln); 1 lane, trailered launch; parking, restrooms; Lincoln County
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.
Reading the tide at Salmon River estuary
- Cascade Head, Salmon RiverNOAA tide predictions
- Taft, Siletz BayNOAA tide predictions
- Kernville, Siletz RiverNOAA tide predictions
The NOAA stations near Salmon River estuary show when the flats drain.
NOAA CO-OPS stations and tide predictions, read November 2, 2026.
Crab, clam and fish limits on Salmon River estuary
| 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. |
Open dates offshore in Salmon River estuary
| 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.
The Marine Zone rows set the bag at Salmon River estuary unless a river exception says otherwise.
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.
Going offshore from Salmon River estuary
The Central Oregon Coast Subarea sets the ocean seasons off Salmon River estuary; for halibut ODFW says: Spring All-Depth Season: May 1 through July 31, seven days per week, or until the quota is caught.
Protected areas off Salmon River estuary
- 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
- Cascade Head Marine ReserveNo extractive activities allowed., 9.64 sq mi
- Cascade Head West Marine Protected AreaAllowed take: salmon by troll, crab., 1.29 sq mi
- Cascade Head South Marine Protected AreaNo net gear., 9.6 sq mi
ODFW Marine Reserve and Marine Protected Area Boundaries (layer), read November 2, 2026; full rules on oregonmarinereserves.com.
Salmon River estuary in a table with nearby estuaries
| Bay or estuary | Distance | Acres (PMEP) | OSMB launches | Shore sites | Marinas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon River estuary | 882 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Siletz Bay | 9 miles south | 2,711 | 7 | 1 | 3 |
| Nestucca Bay | 11 miles north | 2,766 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Depoe Bay | 16 miles south | 12 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Sand Lake | 18 miles north | 1,177 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Little Creek estuary | 25 miles south | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
PMEP extents, OSMB launches, DLCD and ODFW shore sites, Clean Marina list; read November 2, 2026.
Freshwater and Oregon towns inland of Salmon River estuary
Rivers neighbouring the Salmon River estuary
- Siletz River9 miles
- Little Nestucca River10 miles
- Nestucca River11 miles
- Yaquina River29 miles
Reservoirs and lakes that neighbour Salmon River estuary
- Devils Lake (Lincoln County)3 miles south
- Town Lake13 miles north
- Hebo Lake17 miles northeast
- South Lake17 miles northeast
Tackle and bait counters close to Salmon River estuary
- Bi-Mart (Lincoln City)sporting goods store, Lincoln City, 5 miles
- Sunset Landingbait and tackle shop, Lincoln City, 10 miles
- Carver Inc Port Dock 5marina, Newport
- Harry's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Newport
- Sawyer's Landing Marina & RVmarina, Newport
- Port of Newportmarina, Toledo
Paid trips on Salmon River estuary
- Blue Max Inccharter, Depoe Bay
- Brand X Charters LLCcharter, Newport
- Captain's Reel Deep Sea Fishing Chartercharter, Newport, (541) 265-7441
- Craig A Calkinscharter, Depoe Bay
- Depoe Bay Fishing & Whale Watching Inccharter, Depoe Bay
- Dockside Charterscharter, Depoe Bay, (541) 765-2545
- Enterprise Marine LLCcharter, Newport
- Gracie K LLCcharter, Newport
Beds and campgrounds handy to Salmon River estuary
- Lincoln City4 miles
- Depoe Bay16 miles
- Siletz22 miles
Salmon River estuary by county
- Lincoln Countyseat: Newport
Piscifun tackle that suits a trip to Salmon River estuary
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Shorelines and riffles near Salmon River estuary, photographed
Photo: Bureau of Land Management, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Bonnie Moreland, Public domain
Photo: Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington, CC BY 2.0
Photo: ALAN SCHMIERER, CC0 1.0
Answers on Salmon River estuary from the Oregon sources
How do I reach Salmon River estuary on the Oregon coast?
Point the car toward Lincoln County, about 4 miles from Lincoln City.
What area does PMEP map for Salmon River estuary?
Some 357 hectares on the PMEP extent.
Is there an OSMB boat ramp at Salmon River estuary?
There are 1 launch site; Knight Park on Salmon River estuary is a start.
Can I crab or clam at Salmon River estuary?
ODFW writes no where-to-clam page for it. Buy the shellfish license first.
Does the Marine Zone cover Salmon River estuary?
Razor Clams: First 15 dug (no sorting or releasing).
What should I buy before fishing Salmon River estuary?
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.
Can I fish Salmon River estuary without a boat?
No mapped dock or jetty.
Where can I rent crab rings near Salmon River estuary?
Bi-Mart (Lincoln City), roughly 5 miles away, is where our list starts.
Which NOAA station covers Salmon River estuary?
Cascade Head, Salmon River is the nearest prediction station listed.
Is there a marine reserve near Salmon River estuary?
Nearby: Cascade Head North Marine Protected Area, Cascade Head Marine Reserve and Cascade Head West Marine Protected Area.
Pick a minus tide for Salmon River estuary
Check the in-season updates before a fish goes in the cooler.