Necanicum Riverat Seaside.  The broad sandy beaches north to Clatsop Spit consistently produce the highest density of razor clams found along the Oregon Coast.  More razor clams are harvested from the sandy beach from Seaside to Clatsop Spit than from all of Oregon’s beaches combined.  The fishing for redtail surfperch at the mouth of the Necanicum River is excellent from March through September.  Seaside, like many nearby beach communities, does not allow parking on the beachfront streets from 11:00pm to 5:00am.  There is ample street parking but the streets are narrow.  Seaside has the distinction of being the end of the Lewis and Clark Trail.  Members of the expedition camped over the winter of 1805 making salt for their return trip east. 

The bar at the Necanicum River Estuary is dangerous to cross at any time, and is listed on the Web Page of the Oregon State Marine Board at www.Boating in Oregon.com describes the dangerous tidal conditions that affect boating safety in the jetty channel or crossing the bar at the Necanicum River Estuary. Scroll down to the section, Boating in Oregon's Coastal Waters and scroll down to the Necanicum Riiver.     

Pileperch, striped seaperch, walleye surfperch and white seaperch enter the estuary in small numbers to feed on intertidal animals.  The best fishing occurs during the summer and ranges from poor to occasionally good depending on the tides, time of year and the amount of freshwater in the estuary.  Local residents’ fish for perch and crab from the 12th street Bridge seaward.

Chinook salmon return in small numbers to the Necanicum River in late September, through October and into November.  The catch averages 154 fish per year. 

Coho salmon return in late September peaking in October and run into November.  The run is small and of interest to local anglers.  The catch averages 70 fish per year.

Starry Flounder fishing was at onetime fairly consistent, but today the fishing ranges from poor for most of the year to fair at best in the spring.  The best fishing occurs in the lower estuary.

Necanicum Riverboat launches are located at Quatat Marine Park and Cartwright Park on the Necanicum River. and Neeawanna Creek boat launch Broadway Park.

Current status for Crabbing, Clam Digging and Fishing:

On 10/05/12 Crabbing in the Necanicum River Estuary has been goodl

On 10/31/12 Odfw reports: Fall Chinook are available in tidewater and upstream. Bobber and bait in the deeper holes will likely produce the best action. Fish lower for best chance at bright fish..

Clam Digging is limited to the softshell clam beds located at the northeast corner of the estuary. View the tidal projections for Seaside at the 12th Ave Bridge.  

Crabbing at the Necanicum River at Seaside is similar to that of the Salmon River Estuary. The Necanicum River Estuary is dominated by freshwater and crabbing productivity is limited to periods of extended clear weather. The most productive crabbing is from boats and from shore at the 12th Ave Bridge, the park along Holiday Drive and from the visible point from shore accessible point from the pullout located on the west side of HWY 101 just north of Seaside.

On 08/16/11 saw the Necanicum River full a crabs. Every where I went I saw people taking crabs. Enjoy the short video clip of crabbers at the 12 Ave Bridge. Bill

Necanicum River Estuary clam digging is limited to softshell clams and purple varnish clams.

Last summer clam digger Sparkypaul reported: I went down the day I got to seaside, on a 1.7 tide just while waiting for my wife(shopping) just to see if I could see any "shows" , and ended up digging a dozen softshell clams with my bare hands. I went to gearhart, parked at the end of wellington, 100 foot trail to bay. where I found them was up against the edge of the bay, gearhart side to the east. they were smaller2.5 to 3.5", but quite a few. I also noticed a few varnish clam shells laying around, so that might be worth investigating the next time I'm up.

Good Morning Sparkypaul, Bill here. Thanks for the heads up. Clam Diggers Association member Jerry and his friend John raked crabs in the Necanicum several months ago. They only managed to rake one legal crab, but they described finding purple varnish clam shells as lage as the palm of Jerry's hand. I am looking forward to digging some of the giant purple varnish clams this summer; that is if I can tear myself away from the razors. Bill

Internet Links of Interest:

Click on 2012 to view the NOAA tidal projections for your area of interest or view the tidal projections for Seaside at the 12th Ave Bridge.

Click HERE for the 10 day weather forecast for Seaside.

Share your crabbing, clam digging and fishing adventures with us by emailing them to clamdigginginfo@yahoo.com.

Always call the shellfish Hotline at (503) 986-4728 or 1-800-448-2474 toll free outside of Oregon before harvesting clams or mussels for messages listing the areas closed to harvesting shellfish due to high levels of marine toxins. The information displayed on the ODA Shellfish Hotline Website may not be up to date and cannot be trusted. For up to date information call the Shellfish Hotline before you dig at (503) 986-4728 or 1-800-448-2474.

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