Northwest Zone

Weekend's Best Bets

NW Zone -  

• Fall salmon fishing is fair on Nehalem, Tillamook, and Nestucca bays although fishing did slow a little over the past week. All basins are still producing Chinook and coho salmon. The North Coast rivers are still at low flows, so fishing is best in the bays and tidewaters. Wednesday 10/28/2026 will be the last day of wild coho retention on these basins, no wild coho adults may be retained after that date. See the regulation updates online at Fall Coastal Salmon Management for details on seasons and bag limits. 
• The Nestucca and Wilson Rivers still have summer steelhead available, mostly in the upper reaches. Fall can be a good time to target these fish that have been holding most of the summer, as the dropping water temperatures and fall rains can get them more active and willing to bite.  
• Many coastal streams are open for cutthroat trout fishing through Oct 31. There are resident and sea-run cutthroat available for catching. Check the regulations for open areas. 
• Trout stocking has been completed in North Coast lakes for the year, but there are still hold-over trout available to catch in many of the lakes.  
• Fall Chinook fishing is fair in the Siletz, Alsea, Siuslaw, Yaquina and Salmon rivers. Coho are being caught in the Siletz and Yaquina rivers. Wild coho retention in the Yaquina basin closes Oct 25. The Siuslaw closed for wild coho retention Oct 13. Refer to Fall Coastal Salmon Management for more information on season outlines and bag limits.  
• Siltcoos and Tahkenitch lakes are open for wild coho retention. Some early fish may be around, but the majority won't show up until we receive some measurable rain.