08-16-2007, 05:10 PM
NORTH COAST LAKES:
Angling for warm water species should be fair to good. Cape Meares, Lytle, Sunset, Cullaby, and Coffenbury lakes offer good opportunities for warm water fish, particularly largemouth bass. Trophy trout are scheduled to be stocked in September in some lakes. Anglers should use caution when heading to Lost Lake (Clatsop County) as active logging and travel restrictions are in effect. Call the Tillamook office at 503-842-2741 or Astoria Oregon Department of Forestry at 503-325-5451 for more information.
MID COAST LAKES:
Rainbow trout stocking of the Mid Coast lakes is complete for the year. Warm water fishing is good in the following lakes: Devils Lake near Lincoln City and Mercer Lake, Munsel Lake, Woahink Lake, Siltcoos Lake and Tahkenitch Lake near Florence have good populations of warm water fish species such as large mouth bass, blue gill, yellow perch, crappie, and brown bullhead. Typically good fishing occurs from late spring through early fall for these species. A variety of lures and baits can be effective with the best fishing in the morning and late afternoon hours.
ALSEA RIVER: cutthroat trout
Anglers can expect fair to good fishing for cutthroat trout throughout the Alsea River Basin. Sea run cutthroat (Bluebacks) have started to return in good numbers. Anglers should concentrate in upper tidewater and the lower river area. Bank fishing and trolling in tide water with small lures (spinners, spoon or plugs) is very effective. As river temperatures rise fish tend to hold near cool water or shaded areas. A few early Chinook tend to show in tide water through August with trolling being the most effective.
Current river levels and forecasts
BIG CREEK: all species
The area downstream of the hatchery will close to all angling Aug. 15-31 under emergency regulations. Returns of fall chinook are expected to be low, and the closure is necessary to protect fish for hatchery broodstock. Anglers are reminded that Big Creek downstream of the hatchery is also closed during the month of September under permanent regulations.
NECANICUM RIVER: cutthroat trout
Catch and release angling for sea-run cutthroat should be fair to good.
NEHALEM RIVER AND NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: chinook, cutthroat trout
Angling for chinook in Nehalem Bay has picked up over the last week, although is only fair. Fishing is best from The Nehalem/Wheeler area downstream to the mouth. A few chinook are also being caught in the nearshore ocean when conditions allow boats to get outside. Catch and release cutthroat trout fishing should be good. Small lures or flies should produce good results.
NESTUCCA RIVER: steelhead, trout
Angling for summer steelhead is slow. Good numbers of summer steelhead are in the river, and are visible in the low, clear water. Best fishing has been very early in the morning. \Catch and release fishing for cutthroat trout should be good.
River levels
SALMON RIVER: cutthroat trout
Anglers can expect fair to good fishing for resident and sea run (Bluebacks) cutthroat trout. Bank fishing and trolling in tide water with small lures (spinners, spoons, plugs) is very effective. Anglers should concentrate effort in slow moving pools and holes with structure and shade.
SILETZ RIVER: steelhead, cutthroat trout
Steelhead fishing is slowing as river conditions stay warm, low and clear. The best harvest opportunity is in the upper river from Moonshine Park to the fishing deadline. Anglers are using a variety of baits, jigs, spoons and spinners with the best success in the morning and evening hours or around a rain event. Steelhead fishing typically improves in September after the first rains start. Resident cutthroat trout and sea run cutthroat (Bluebacks) fishing is good throughout most of the river. Anglers should concentrate in areas with structure, shade and cool water sources. Small lures (spinners, spoon or plugs) and bait (shrimp, eggs, worms) are very effective. A few early chinook start showing throughout August with the best opportunities in tidewater.
Current river levels and forecasts
SIUSLAW RIVER: cutthroat trout
Resident cutthroat trout and sea run cutthroat (Bluebacks) fishing is fair to good throughout much of the basin. Blueback fishing is best in tidewater and the lower river. Trolling or bank fishing with small lures (spinners, spoons or plugs) works well. A few early chinook may start to show in August with the best opportunity trolling in tidewater.
Current river levels and forecasts
TILLAMOOK BAY: chinook, coho
Open for fall chinook and adipose fin-clipped coho. Fishing will be slow, but should begin to improve, especially for coho, around the end of August.
WILSON AND TRASK RIVERS: steelhead, cutthroat trout
Angling for summer steelhead is slow. Closed to spring chinook fishing. Fish are spread out through the rivers, which are very low and clear. Use light gear and small lures or bait, and fish early or late in the day for best results. Catch and release fishing for sea-run cutthroat trout should be good.
River levels
YAQUINA RIVER: cutthroat trout
Resident cutthroat trout fishing is fair to good throughout the mainstem and tributaries. Sea run cutthroat trout are starting to show in upper tidewater and the lower river sections. Small spinners or spoons on light rods and line work well for cutthroat trout.
HUNTING
Dec. 1-2 - Build Your Own Longbow in Tillamook. Hosted by ODFW's Passport to the Outdoors Program, this workshop will allow you to create your own wooden longbow. Master Bowyer, John Strunk, will share his knowledge and expertise with you as he takes you through the process from wood stave to finished bow. No prior experience is necessary to create your own one-of-a kind work of art. Adult men and women are invited to attend this workshop. Register on-line (pdf) or email Nancy.E.Smogor@state.or.us
OPEN: Bear and cougar season
General fall black bear season started Aug. 1 in western Oregon. At this time, bear are actively feeding, especially on the very abundant wild berry crops from this summer. A strategy for hunting them in the early morning and late evening hours is watching clearcuts and natural openings. At other times during the day, use of a predator call is the best approach. Generally, long and persistent calling is the most effective way to call them in.<br />
General cougar season opened Aug. 1 on the north coast. All indicators point to the north coast as having relatively low cougar densities, when compared to most of the rest of the state. However, they can still be located, especially if hunters are dedicated to using calls as their primary strategy. Like with black bear, cougar are probably most effectively hunted by long and persistent calling with a predator call.
Back to the top
VIEWING
Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport. Daily activities through Labor Day include a guided walking tour of the Yaquina estuary beginning at 11:00 a.m. and OceanQuest '07 at 1:30 p.m. OceanQuest'07 is a multimedia presentation highlighting deep sea research off the Oregon Coast, the Marianas and Antarctica.
While at the Hatfield Marine Science Center, watch the aquarists feed the wolf eels Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m. or the resident octopus Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
North Coast
Pelicans<br />
- Photo by Kathy Munsel -
The return of the brown pelican
In recent weeks, brown pelicans have arrived along the north coast and will continue to increase in numbers. A threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act, they can become plentiful in late summer and early fall along the coast. They usually roost on near-shore rocks and feed on fish in the ocean and north coast estuaries, including the Columbia River. During low tides, Netarts Bay has been host to hundreds, if not thousands of the birds, fishing in its shallow waters.
Brown pelicans are both humorous and awe-inspiring to watch. The big, gangly bird that almost recklessly dives into the water can glide over the ocean waves gracefully with its wing tips seemingly inches from the water.
The brown pelican
Spot osprey nests
Osprey Nest<br />
- Photo by Kathy Munsel -<br />
Two of the more uncommon raptors seen on the north coast in the summer are the osprey and the white-tailed kite. Both are usually present during the summer but take a little effort to find. Osprey nest in several areas along the coast and are best located by looking near lakes with numbers of standing snags near the shoreline. Osprey are among the most specialized of hawks, hovering high over the water to spot fish and then diving head and feet first to capture their prey. Special pads on their feet help to grip the slippery fish.
Kites may be found most often in open fields and marshy areas with widely-scattered trees and fence posts. They will hover in place before swooping down, wings raised, to capture small rodents. Kestrels have the same hunting habit, but kites are a bit larger and are very distinctive being mostly white with black shoulder patches. Both osprey and white-tailed kites superficially resemble gulls when in flight, being mostly white (the osprey only from below) with a few dark patches, and both can be very vocal when on the wing.
Seaside Area
Elk have been seen at Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area on both the Fishhawk Tract (Highway 202) and Beneke Tract (Beneke Road). Best viewing has been early in the morning and late in the evening. Bulls are starting to rub off antler velvet in preparation for the breeding season or rut. As the velvet is shed, the hardened antlers are light colored until the bull starts rubbing them on trees and other matter which stains them, giving the headgear that characteristic dark color.
Directions and information
Tillamook Area
Currently, hundreds of thousands of seabirds, including murres, auklets and puffins are completing the rearing of young at Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge located near Oceanside. It home to the largest and most diverse seabird colony in Oregon, and supports a breeding population of Steller sea lions. In recent weeks brown pelicans have also been using the rocks as roosting place. A good spotting scope is very helpful for viewing. Other great seabird nesting colonies include Pyramid Rock west of Cape Meares and Castle Rock west of Arch Cape.
More information
Yaquina Bay
Harlequin Duck<br />
U.S. Fish and Wildlife<br />
Harlequin ducks are often sighted at the Yaquina Bay south jetty and at Seal Rocks. Numerous species of waterfowl and shorebirds are actively feeding in and around coastal estuaries and lakes.
Summer is a great time to visit Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area to see colonial nesting birds such as Common Murre, Brandt's Cormorant and Pigeon Guillemot. Nearby shores and rocky beaches are good locations for spotting Harbor Seal and California Sea Lion. The Historic Lighthouse just off Hwy 101 is a great place to view migrating Gray whales. The trail leading to the tide pools is ADA accessible.
to the top
Angling for warm water species should be fair to good. Cape Meares, Lytle, Sunset, Cullaby, and Coffenbury lakes offer good opportunities for warm water fish, particularly largemouth bass. Trophy trout are scheduled to be stocked in September in some lakes. Anglers should use caution when heading to Lost Lake (Clatsop County) as active logging and travel restrictions are in effect. Call the Tillamook office at 503-842-2741 or Astoria Oregon Department of Forestry at 503-325-5451 for more information.
MID COAST LAKES:
Rainbow trout stocking of the Mid Coast lakes is complete for the year. Warm water fishing is good in the following lakes: Devils Lake near Lincoln City and Mercer Lake, Munsel Lake, Woahink Lake, Siltcoos Lake and Tahkenitch Lake near Florence have good populations of warm water fish species such as large mouth bass, blue gill, yellow perch, crappie, and brown bullhead. Typically good fishing occurs from late spring through early fall for these species. A variety of lures and baits can be effective with the best fishing in the morning and late afternoon hours.
ALSEA RIVER: cutthroat trout
Anglers can expect fair to good fishing for cutthroat trout throughout the Alsea River Basin. Sea run cutthroat (Bluebacks) have started to return in good numbers. Anglers should concentrate in upper tidewater and the lower river area. Bank fishing and trolling in tide water with small lures (spinners, spoon or plugs) is very effective. As river temperatures rise fish tend to hold near cool water or shaded areas. A few early Chinook tend to show in tide water through August with trolling being the most effective.
Current river levels and forecasts
BIG CREEK: all species
The area downstream of the hatchery will close to all angling Aug. 15-31 under emergency regulations. Returns of fall chinook are expected to be low, and the closure is necessary to protect fish for hatchery broodstock. Anglers are reminded that Big Creek downstream of the hatchery is also closed during the month of September under permanent regulations.
NECANICUM RIVER: cutthroat trout
Catch and release angling for sea-run cutthroat should be fair to good.
NEHALEM RIVER AND NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: chinook, cutthroat trout
Angling for chinook in Nehalem Bay has picked up over the last week, although is only fair. Fishing is best from The Nehalem/Wheeler area downstream to the mouth. A few chinook are also being caught in the nearshore ocean when conditions allow boats to get outside. Catch and release cutthroat trout fishing should be good. Small lures or flies should produce good results.
NESTUCCA RIVER: steelhead, trout
Angling for summer steelhead is slow. Good numbers of summer steelhead are in the river, and are visible in the low, clear water. Best fishing has been very early in the morning. \Catch and release fishing for cutthroat trout should be good.
River levels
SALMON RIVER: cutthroat trout
Anglers can expect fair to good fishing for resident and sea run (Bluebacks) cutthroat trout. Bank fishing and trolling in tide water with small lures (spinners, spoons, plugs) is very effective. Anglers should concentrate effort in slow moving pools and holes with structure and shade.
SILETZ RIVER: steelhead, cutthroat trout
Steelhead fishing is slowing as river conditions stay warm, low and clear. The best harvest opportunity is in the upper river from Moonshine Park to the fishing deadline. Anglers are using a variety of baits, jigs, spoons and spinners with the best success in the morning and evening hours or around a rain event. Steelhead fishing typically improves in September after the first rains start. Resident cutthroat trout and sea run cutthroat (Bluebacks) fishing is good throughout most of the river. Anglers should concentrate in areas with structure, shade and cool water sources. Small lures (spinners, spoon or plugs) and bait (shrimp, eggs, worms) are very effective. A few early chinook start showing throughout August with the best opportunities in tidewater.
Current river levels and forecasts
SIUSLAW RIVER: cutthroat trout
Resident cutthroat trout and sea run cutthroat (Bluebacks) fishing is fair to good throughout much of the basin. Blueback fishing is best in tidewater and the lower river. Trolling or bank fishing with small lures (spinners, spoons or plugs) works well. A few early chinook may start to show in August with the best opportunity trolling in tidewater.
Current river levels and forecasts
TILLAMOOK BAY: chinook, coho
Open for fall chinook and adipose fin-clipped coho. Fishing will be slow, but should begin to improve, especially for coho, around the end of August.
WILSON AND TRASK RIVERS: steelhead, cutthroat trout
Angling for summer steelhead is slow. Closed to spring chinook fishing. Fish are spread out through the rivers, which are very low and clear. Use light gear and small lures or bait, and fish early or late in the day for best results. Catch and release fishing for sea-run cutthroat trout should be good.
River levels
YAQUINA RIVER: cutthroat trout
Resident cutthroat trout fishing is fair to good throughout the mainstem and tributaries. Sea run cutthroat trout are starting to show in upper tidewater and the lower river sections. Small spinners or spoons on light rods and line work well for cutthroat trout.
HUNTING
Dec. 1-2 - Build Your Own Longbow in Tillamook. Hosted by ODFW's Passport to the Outdoors Program, this workshop will allow you to create your own wooden longbow. Master Bowyer, John Strunk, will share his knowledge and expertise with you as he takes you through the process from wood stave to finished bow. No prior experience is necessary to create your own one-of-a kind work of art. Adult men and women are invited to attend this workshop. Register on-line (pdf) or email Nancy.E.Smogor@state.or.us
OPEN: Bear and cougar season
General fall black bear season started Aug. 1 in western Oregon. At this time, bear are actively feeding, especially on the very abundant wild berry crops from this summer. A strategy for hunting them in the early morning and late evening hours is watching clearcuts and natural openings. At other times during the day, use of a predator call is the best approach. Generally, long and persistent calling is the most effective way to call them in.<br />
General cougar season opened Aug. 1 on the north coast. All indicators point to the north coast as having relatively low cougar densities, when compared to most of the rest of the state. However, they can still be located, especially if hunters are dedicated to using calls as their primary strategy. Like with black bear, cougar are probably most effectively hunted by long and persistent calling with a predator call.
Back to the top
VIEWING
Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport. Daily activities through Labor Day include a guided walking tour of the Yaquina estuary beginning at 11:00 a.m. and OceanQuest '07 at 1:30 p.m. OceanQuest'07 is a multimedia presentation highlighting deep sea research off the Oregon Coast, the Marianas and Antarctica.
While at the Hatfield Marine Science Center, watch the aquarists feed the wolf eels Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m. or the resident octopus Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
North Coast
Pelicans<br />
- Photo by Kathy Munsel -
The return of the brown pelican
In recent weeks, brown pelicans have arrived along the north coast and will continue to increase in numbers. A threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act, they can become plentiful in late summer and early fall along the coast. They usually roost on near-shore rocks and feed on fish in the ocean and north coast estuaries, including the Columbia River. During low tides, Netarts Bay has been host to hundreds, if not thousands of the birds, fishing in its shallow waters.
Brown pelicans are both humorous and awe-inspiring to watch. The big, gangly bird that almost recklessly dives into the water can glide over the ocean waves gracefully with its wing tips seemingly inches from the water.
The brown pelican
Spot osprey nests
Osprey Nest<br />
- Photo by Kathy Munsel -<br />
Two of the more uncommon raptors seen on the north coast in the summer are the osprey and the white-tailed kite. Both are usually present during the summer but take a little effort to find. Osprey nest in several areas along the coast and are best located by looking near lakes with numbers of standing snags near the shoreline. Osprey are among the most specialized of hawks, hovering high over the water to spot fish and then diving head and feet first to capture their prey. Special pads on their feet help to grip the slippery fish.
Kites may be found most often in open fields and marshy areas with widely-scattered trees and fence posts. They will hover in place before swooping down, wings raised, to capture small rodents. Kestrels have the same hunting habit, but kites are a bit larger and are very distinctive being mostly white with black shoulder patches. Both osprey and white-tailed kites superficially resemble gulls when in flight, being mostly white (the osprey only from below) with a few dark patches, and both can be very vocal when on the wing.
Seaside Area
Elk have been seen at Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area on both the Fishhawk Tract (Highway 202) and Beneke Tract (Beneke Road). Best viewing has been early in the morning and late in the evening. Bulls are starting to rub off antler velvet in preparation for the breeding season or rut. As the velvet is shed, the hardened antlers are light colored until the bull starts rubbing them on trees and other matter which stains them, giving the headgear that characteristic dark color.
Directions and information
Tillamook Area
Currently, hundreds of thousands of seabirds, including murres, auklets and puffins are completing the rearing of young at Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge located near Oceanside. It home to the largest and most diverse seabird colony in Oregon, and supports a breeding population of Steller sea lions. In recent weeks brown pelicans have also been using the rocks as roosting place. A good spotting scope is very helpful for viewing. Other great seabird nesting colonies include Pyramid Rock west of Cape Meares and Castle Rock west of Arch Cape.
More information
Yaquina Bay
Harlequin Duck<br />
U.S. Fish and Wildlife<br />
Harlequin ducks are often sighted at the Yaquina Bay south jetty and at Seal Rocks. Numerous species of waterfowl and shorebirds are actively feeding in and around coastal estuaries and lakes.
Summer is a great time to visit Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area to see colonial nesting birds such as Common Murre, Brandt's Cormorant and Pigeon Guillemot. Nearby shores and rocky beaches are good locations for spotting Harbor Seal and California Sea Lion. The Historic Lighthouse just off Hwy 101 is a great place to view migrating Gray whales. The trail leading to the tide pools is ADA accessible.
to the top