Photo of Nehalem Bay: Michael Cornelius, CC BY-SA 2.0
Fishing times todaySolunar periods, sunrise and moonrise for Tillamook County, today and the next 7 days.Best fishing times today
Tillamook County, Oregon
Tillamook County fishing at a glance
County business for Tillamook County happens in Tillamook; the 2020 Census found 27,390 residents. Expect the ODFW Northwest Zone limits on most Tillamook County waters; zones are drawn by drainage, so check any water near a divide.
Of the 5 lake guides tied to Tillamook County, Cape Meares Lake covers the most surface. Bay and ocean pages for the county cover Nehalem Bay, Nestucca Bay, Netarts Bay and Sand Lake. The Marine Board layer shows 55 open launches inside the county, 36 for trailers. Shore anglers get 19 mapped shore sites, 12 of them piers or jetties.
5lake pages
55open OSMB launches
9river pages
6shops
Census 2020 population; BLM Oregon NHD lake outlines; OSMB Boating Access Sites; DLCD and ODFW shore access layers; 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations zone lists; read November 2, 2026.
Map
Pinning the fishing access in Tillamook County
OSMB launch points, DLCD and ODFW shore sites, NHD lake points, PMEP estuary points; read November 2, 2026.
Lakes
Lake guides for Tillamook County
Lake
Acres
Kind
OSMB launches
Fish mapped
Cape Meares Lake
158 (outline)
lake
1
bluegill, brown bullhead, chinook salmon
Lake Lytle
68 (outline)
lake
1
largemouth bass, rainbow trout
Town Lake
10 (outline)
lake
1
largemouth bass, rainbow trout, chinook salmon
Hebo Lake
2 (outline)
lake
1
brown bullhead, rainbow trout
Nedonna Lake
1 (outline)
lake
0
rainbow trout
BLM Oregon hydrography lake outlines (NHD), summed by GNIS name (layer), read November 2, 2026. Species: ODFW Fish Habitat Distribution layers (ODFW ArcGIS), read November 2, 2026; a mapped species is habitat use ODFW records, not a catch report. ODFW publishes no lake depths in these layers.
3.88 ftGaribaldi, MLLW water level, November 2, 2026
NOAA CO-OPS water level, preliminary reading at retrieval; station page for live data.
ODFW ocean management areas, PMEP estuaries, OSMB launches and marinas, DLCD shore sites; read November 2, 2026.
Species
Fish counts across waters by Tillamook County
Out to 40 miles from Tillamook, chinook salmon appears on more water pages than any other species.
Chinook salmon14 waters
Steelhead14 waters
Coho salmon12 waters
Cutthroat trout12 waters
Rainbow trout12 waters
Chum salmon10 waters
Largemouth bass8 waters
Brown bullhead6 waters
Bluegill4 waters
Yellow perch4 waters
Species from ODFW Fish Habitat Distribution layers, booklet exceptions and ODFW records, counted per water page within 40 miles; habitat mapping, not a catch survey.
More water
More lake outlines across Tillamook County
Another 12 named outlines fall in Tillamook County.
Water
Acres (outline)
Nearest place
Smith Lake
44
Rockaway Beach
Skookum Lake
36
Tillamook
Winema Lake
18
Lincoln City
Spring Lake
17
Rockaway Beach
Miles Lake
17
Tillamook
Crescent Lake
17
Rockaway Beach
Sears Lake
14
Tillamook
Chamberlain Lake
8
Tillamook
Battle Lake
2
Tillamook
Lake Marie
1
Rockaway Beach
Seaview Lake
1
Rockaway Beach
Bay City Reservoir
0
Bay City
BLM Oregon hydrography lake outlines (NHD), summed by GNIS name (layer), read November 2, 2026.
Rivers
Streams that cross Tillamook County
Kilchis RiverODFW maps chum, coho and fall chinook runs, 3 OSMB launches, 7 booklet exceptions
Little Nestucca RiverODFW maps chum, coho and fall chinook runs, 1 OSMB launch, 7 booklet exceptions
Nestucca RiverODFW maps chum, coho and fall chinook runs, 11 OSMB launches, 2 USGS gauges, 11 booklet exceptions
North Fork Nehalem RiverODFW maps chum, coho and fall chinook runs, 2 OSMB launches
Tillamook RiverODFW maps chum, coho and fall chinook runs, 2 OSMB launches, 5 booklet exceptions
Trask RiverODFW maps chum, coho and fall chinook runs, 6 OSMB launches, 1 USGS gauge, 13 booklet exceptions
Wilson RiverODFW maps chum, coho and fall chinook runs, 4 OSMB launches, 2 USGS gauges, 9 booklet exceptions
Miami RiverODFW maps chum, coho and fall chinook runs, 5 booklet exceptions
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.
Stocking
ODFW stocking for waters of Tillamook County
Across 5 stocked waters in Tillamook County, ODFW plans 38 releases and 65,840 trout.
ODFW weekly trout stocking schedule (planned releases; ODFW prints size classes, not species), myodfw.com, read November 2, 2026.
Regulations
Keeper rules across Tillamook County
The zone rows apply across Tillamook County wherever no water exception steps in. Annual angling runs $50 for residents of Oregon and $138 for everyone else in 2026. Keep a salmon or steelhead and you need the Combined Angling Tag too, $69 for residents. Ocean fishing from boat, beach or jetty now takes the $9 Ocean Endorsement unless you fish only for salmon or steelhead.
In the aggregate: 2 adult salmon or steelhead per day, 20 per year. 5 jack salmon per day, 2 daily jack limits in possession. Wild salmon bag limits are determined annually.
Closed unless noted under Exceptions. Note: Regulation changes may occur throughout the year and are posted on the MyODFW website.
Lakes: 5 per day, 3 daily limits in possession unless noted under Exceptions. Streams: No limit.
Lakes: Open all year. Streams: (including tidewaters and bays): Open during trout, salmon or steelhead seasons, except tidewater areas of Columbia River.
Bluegill, Catfish, Crappie, Other Sunfish, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Stri.
No limit.
Lakes: Open all year. Streams: (including tidewaters and bays): Open during trout, salmon or steelhead seasons, except tidewater areas of Columbia River.
Marine Fish and Marine Shellfish
See Marine Zone.
See Marine Zone.
Smelt
Unless specifically authorized under emergency rules, it is unlawful to take or attempt to take Eulachon smelt in inland waters, including bays, rivers, estuaries, and streams.
Unless specifically authorized under emergency rules, it is unlawful to take or attempt to take Eulachon smelt in inland waters, including bays, rivers, estuari.
Species
Limit
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Special rows reaching Tillamook County (73)
Water
Species
Rule
Booklet
Cape Meares Lake
bass
1 bass per day.
p. 28
Kilchis River (Hwy 101 bridge to Tilden Bluff Rd Bridge (RM 11))
hatchery steelhead
Open all year for hatchery steelhead.
p. 28
Kilchis River (Hwy 101 bridge to Tilden Bluff Rd Bridge (RM 11))
chinook, salmon
Open for hatchery spring Chinook salmon Jan 1 – Jul 31.
p. 28
Kilchis River (Hwy 101 bridge to Tilden Bluff Rd Bridge (RM 11))
chinook, salmon
Open for fall Chinook salmon Aug 1 – Dec 31.
p. 28
Kilchis River (Hwy 101 bridge to Tilden Bluff Rd Bridge (RM 11))
chum, salmon
Catch-and-release for chum salmon Sep 16 – Nov 15.
p. 28
Kilchis River (Tilden Bluff Rd Bridge to North Fork)
hatchery steelhead
Open all year for hatchery steelhead.
p. 28
Kilchis River (Tilden Bluff Rd Bridge to North Fork)
salmon
Closed all year to salmon angling.
p. 28
Kilchis River (Tributaries and river sections not listed)
Closed.
p. 28
Lake Lytle
bass
1 bass per day.
p. 29
Little Nestucca River (Hwy 101 to USFS bridge at Dolph)
hatchery steelhead
Open all year for hatchery steelhead.
p. 29
Little Nestucca River (Hwy 101 to USFS bridge at Dolph)
chinook, salmon
Open for hatchery spring Chinook salmon Jan 1 – Jul 31.
p. 29
Little Nestucca River (Hwy 101 to USFS bridge at Dolph)
chinook, salmon
Open for fall Chinook salmon Aug 1 – Dec 31.
p. 29
Little Nestucca River (Hwy 101 to USFS bridge at Dolph)
Use of bait allowed.
p. 29
Little Nestucca River (Hwy 101 to USFS bridge at Dolph)
Closed from ODFW markers up to Upton Falls.
p. 29
Little Nestucca River (Hwy 101 to USFS bridge at Dolph)
Closed from ODFW markers up to Stella Falls.
p. 29
Little Nestucca River (Tributaries and river sections not listed)
Closed.
p. 29
Miami River (Above Hwy 101 bridge)
hatchery steelhead
Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 – Mar 31 and May 22 – Dec 31.
p. 29
Miami River (Above Hwy 101 bridge)
chinook, salmon
Open for hatchery spring Chinook salmon May 22 – Jul 31.
p. 29
Miami River (Above Hwy 101 bridge)
chinook, salmon
Open for fall Chinook salmon Aug 1 – Dec 31.
p. 29
Miami River (Above Hwy 101 bridge)
chum, salmon
Catch-and-release for chum salmon Sep 16 – Nov 15.
p. 29
Limits as printed in the 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations (ODFW, eRegulations edition) (Northwest Zone page), read November 2, 2026. Limits as printed in the 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations (ODFW, eRegulations edition) (Marine Zone page), read November 2, 2026. Water exceptions as printed in the 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations (ODFW, eRegulations edition) (booklet PDF; printed page shown), read November 2, 2026. In-season changes from ODFW override them. Fees as printed on the ODFW license, tag and permit fee page of the 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations (ODFW, eRegulations edition) (fees page), read November 2, 2026.
Records
State records from water by Tillamook County
Species
Weight
Water
Date
Chum Salmon
23 lb 0 oz
Kilchis River
1990
Oregon record fish as listed by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (record fish article, dated March 4, 2026), read November 2, 2026.
Tournaments
Events fished from Tillamook County
Schedules and results list 1 event in Tillamook County, 0 on the coming calendar.
How many boat launches are open in Tillamook County?
55 open launches on the OSMB layer, 36 of them for trailers.
Which reservoir or lake tops Tillamook County by size?
Cape Meares Lake, about 158 acres on its mapped outline.
Which fish lead the water pages near Tillamook County?
Chinook salmon lead the count of water pages within 40 miles, then steelhead, coho salmon and cutthroat trout.
Which Tillamook County stores stock salmon and trout tackle?
6 in all, Tillamook Bait Co first.
Is there a drift-boat or fishing guide listed in Tillamook County?
9 guides and charters work from the county.
Which town is the administrative centre for Tillamook County?
It is Tillamook.
Do I need a license for water in Tillamook County?
Oregon residents pay $50 for the annual angling license, visitors $138. Salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut also go on a Combined Angling Tag ($69 resident). The $9 Ocean Endorsement rides along with the license for ocean fishing beyond salmon and steelhead.
Which counties touch Tillamook County?
Start with Yamhill County, Washington County and Clatsop County.
What zone table do Tillamook County waters use?
The ODFW Northwest Zone rows cover most of the listed water in Tillamook County; a drainage that crosses the line can carry another zone.
Which tournaments run in Tillamook County?
1 event on file from organizer pages, none ahead yet.
Which Tillamook County waters get their own booklet rows?
The 2026 booklet prints 73 water exceptions reaching this county, starting with Cape Meares Lake; the table above shows each.
Where is the bay fishing in Tillamook County?
Nehalem Bay, Nestucca Bay, Netarts Bay and Sand Lake; the coastal table above links the pages.
How many Tillamook County waters are on the stocking schedule?
Yes: 5 waters on the ODFW schedule, such as Cape Meares Lake, Lake Lytle and Town Lake; releases are planned, not confirmed.
Has an ODFW record fish been landed in Tillamook County?
Chum Salmon, 23 lb 0 oz, from Kilchis River (1990).
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