Yaquina Bay Fishing
A coastal bay in Lincoln County, about 6,649 acres of tidal habitat.
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The quick picture on Yaquina Bay
PMEP maps Yaquina Bay at about 2,691 hectares of tidal habitat, near 6,649 acres, in Lincoln County. Class: riverine estuary. Boats crossing out enter the Central Oregon Coast Subarea. Toledo, near 3 miles off, is the closest town.
OSMB lists 9 launch sites. 1 dock, pier or jetty site let you fish without a boat. ODFW points crabbers and clammers to it with a dedicated page.
Pacific Marine and Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership estuary extent (PMEP), read November 2, 2026. Census 2023 places.
Launches that reach Yaquina Bay
- Airport Ramp on Yaquina RiverYaquina River; 1 lane, trailered launch; parking, restrooms, short-term tie-up, marina; Port of Toledo
- Cannon Quarry Park on Yaquina RiverYaquina River; 1 lane, trailered launch; parking, restrooms; Lincoln County
- Cristeser Moorage on Yaquina RiverYaquina River; hoist; parking, restrooms, short-term tie-up, marina, hoist; Private
- East Paddle Launch on Yaquina BayYaquina Bay; 1 lane, hand carry launch; parking, restrooms, hand launch; Port of Newport
- Elk City Park on Yaquina RiverYaquina River; 1 lane, trailered launch; parking, restrooms, short-term tie-up, marina; Lincoln County
- Paddle Park on Yaquina RiverYaquina River; trailered launch; parking, restrooms, short-term tie-up, marina; Port of Toledo
- Port of Newport Marina & RV Park on Yaquina BayYaquina Bay; 4 lanes, trailered launch; parking, restrooms, use fee, short-term tie-up, fuel; Port of Newport
- Sawyers Landing on Yaquina BayYaquina Bay; hoist; parking, restrooms, use fee, short-term tie-up, fuel; Private
- West Paddle Launch on Yaquina BayYaquina Bay; 1 lane, hand carry launch; parking, restrooms, hand launch; Port of Newport
Fishing Yaquina Bay from shore
- Port of Toledo on Yaquina Bayfishing pier, Port of Toledo
Harbors and moorage at Yaquina Bay
- Port of Toledomarina (Oregon Certified Clean Marina), Toledo, 541-336-5207
- Embarcadero Marinamarina (Oregon Certified Clean Marina), Newport, 541-265-8521
- Port of Newport – South Beach Marinamarina (Oregon Certified Clean Marina), Newport, 541-867-3321
- Port of Newport Marina & RV Park
- Sawyers Landing
- Airport Ramp
- Elk City Park
- Cristeser Moorage
- Paddle Park
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 Yaquina Bay
- Center Sloughgut
- Sallys Sloughgut
- Yaquina Baybay
- Tokyo Sloughgut
Each name sits inside the PMEP outline of Yaquina Bay, per GNIS.
USGS GNIS domestic names inside the PMEP estuary extent, read November 2, 2026.
Shellfish areas of Yaquina Bay
ODFW describes the shellfish areas of Yaquina Bay this way:
Lower Yaquina Bay is “marine dominated”, meaning there is little freshwater influence, and offers many shellfishing oppurtunities.
: These charts depict popular, productive shellfishing areas. Bay clam and crab species occur in other areas within Yaquina 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.
Bridge Bed (BB): One of the most popular clam beds in Yaquina Bay, the Bridge Bed hosts a very healthy population of gaper clams. This clam bed should only be visited at really low tides (less than -1.0) to access the best gaper clam beds. Clammer also can find cockles here, which can be raked on the sandier areas under the bridge.
Marina Bed (MB): This clam bed contains gaper clams and butter clams. The eastern portion of this bed is off-limits as it is part of an eelgrass mitigation project. See the kiosk near the bathroom for more information.
Breakwater (BW): This island is only accessible by boat. The north side of the breakwater island is the Yaquina Bay Shellfish Preserve and is off-limits for clamming. The south side is open for clamming and contains very productive gaper and butter clam beds.
Where to crab & clam in Yaquina Bay, myodfw.com, read November 2, 2026.
Tides and water level near Yaquina Bay
NOAA CO-OPS water level, preliminary reading at retrieval; station page for live data.
- Weiser Point, Yaquina RiverNOAA tide predictions
- TOLEDONOAA tide predictions
- SouthbeachNOAA tide predictions
- YAQUINA USCG STA, NEWPORTNOAA tide predictions
Check the tide tables before digging or crabbing at Yaquina Bay.
NOAA CO-OPS stations and tide predictions, read November 2, 2026.
Keepers allowed out of Yaquina Bay
| 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 Yaquina 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 Yaquina 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.
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Beyond the bar at Yaquina 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.
Yaquina Bay beside other Oregon bays
| Bay or estuary | Distance | Acres (PMEP) | OSMB launches | Shore sites | Marinas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yaquina Bay | 6,649 | 9 | 1 | 9 | |
| Beaver Creek estuary | 7 miles southwest | 240 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Little Creek estuary | 8 miles northwest | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Alsea Bay | 11 miles south | 3,562 | 10 | 1 | 4 |
| Depoe Bay | 17 miles north | 12 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Siletz Bay | 22 miles north | 2,711 | 7 | 1 | 3 |
PMEP extents, OSMB launches, DLCD and ODFW shore sites, Clean Marina list; read November 2, 2026.
More Oregon water a drive from Yaquina Bay
Other Oregon rivers near the Yaquina Bay
- Yaquina River4 miles
- Alsea River12 miles
- Yachats River20 miles
- Siletz River23 miles
Ports near Yaquina Bay
- Port of NewportLincoln County
- Port of ToledoLincoln County
Nearby lakes worth a look after Yaquina Bay
- Newport Reservoir6 miles northwest
- Olalla Reservoir8 miles north
- Eckman Lake12 miles south
- Devils Lake (Lincoln County)28 miles north
Stores that outfit trips to Yaquina Bay
- Port of Newportmarina, Toledo, 1 mile
- Sawyer's Landing Marina & RVmarina, Newport, 3 miles
- Carver Inc Port Dock 5marina, Newport, 6 miles
- Harry's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Newport, 6 miles
- Shrimp Daddy Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Waldport, 11 miles
- Drift Creek Landingmarina, Waldport, 12 miles
Guided trips on Yaquina Bay
- 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
Oregon towns to sleep in near Yaquina Bay
- Toledo3 miles
- Newport5 miles
- Siletz10 miles
County fishing pages tied to Yaquina Bay
- Lincoln Countyseat: Newport
A Piscifun kit worth stowing before you head to Yaquina Bay
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What the Yaquina Bay species look like
Photo: Ed Bierman, CC BY 2.0
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, CC BY 2.0
Yaquina Bay, the usual questions settled
Where is Yaquina Bay?
Aim for Lincoln County, about 3 miles from Toledo.
What size is Yaquina Bay on the map?
Roughly 6,649 acres (2,691 hectares) on the PMEP layer.
Where do crab boats put in at Yaquina Bay?
OSMB maps 9 launch sites; Airport Ramp on Yaquina River is one.
Does ODFW cover clamming at Yaquina Bay?
See the ODFW text in the shellfish band. Bring a shellfish license.
Which rules apply at Yaquina Bay?
Razor Clams: First 15 dug (no sorting or releasing).
Do I need the Ocean Endorsement at Yaquina 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 Yaquina Bay from an Oregon dock or jetty?
1 shore site are mapped, including Port of Toledo on Yaquina Bay.
Where can I buy an ODFW license near Yaquina Bay?
Try Port of Newport, roughly 1 mile away.
Which tide station is nearest Yaquina Bay?
NOAA predictions for Weiser Point, Yaquina River are linked in the tides band.
Pack the crab rings for Yaquina Bay
Read the zone rows, then choose the launch closest to your water.