Fishing in Seaside and Gearhart

Seaside isn’t usually the first place on the minds of area visitors looking for fish; however, if you’re an avid angler, there are opportunities to cast a line around Seaside and Gearhart. With two rivers, the Necanicum and the Neawanna, running through Seaside proper, it’s a safe bet that there are fish to be caught and fun to be had!

The Necanicum and Neawanna rivers hold salmon, steelhead, and trout, while the nearby Lake Mantel hosts a variety of freshwater fish like bluegill, largemouth bass, and bream. There are also saltwater fish to be had, such as surf perch along the beach as well as halibut, tuna, and seabass if you go offshore.

If you’re willing to drive a little, your fishing opportunities open up even more. Within an hour’s drive south of Seaside, you’ll find the Nehalem River, which holds an impressive seasonal salmon run, and to the north,h you’ll find the Columbia River.

Another Angle to Seaside: Shellfishing

Another fishing pastime popular among locals and visiting sportspeople is shellfishing. Especially known for its Razor clamming, Seaside has been a destination for shellfish dating back to the area’s indigenous tribes, living along the sandy shores.

Razor clams are those wily bivalves that claim the soft, wet beach sands as their home. Unlike other species of local clams, the Razors are considered a regional delicacy as their meat is substantial in both taste and abundance. Plus, they can be darn fun to try to capture!

Don’t forget your clam gun, a shovel, and a pair of boots, as procuring these subterranean mollusks can be a fairly messy enterprise. In addition to the local clams, you can also try your hand at catching the famous Dungeness Crab that scours the sandy bottoms of the salty waters in and around Seaside either by a fishing rod (with a special crab rig attached) or a dropped pot off a boat.

Be sure to have a license for shellfish before going out, and pay attention to tides and local weather.