Tillamook Bay boaters reminded to “share the sea” with commercial clam divers

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

Report Date:

http://www.dfw.state.or.us

NEWPORT, Ore – Good fall Chinook and coho salmon fishing is occurring in Tillamook Bay alongside commercial clam divers targeting butter clams in the channels. Interactions between anglers and clam divers can create a safety concern for divers.

ODFW and the Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) reminds all boaters to boat cautiously when near divers, especially in the area commonly called the Ghost Hole.

At this time of year, the Ghost Hole in Tillamook Bay is popular with both sport anglers and commercial clam divers as more than 70 percent of Oregon’s commercial clam harvest occurs in Tillamook Bay. Boat traffic, channels congested with trolling lines, and roving divers has created a safety risk.

Sport salmon anglers should look for “diver down” flags or buoys near anchored boats, signaling divers are below, often tethered to air supply systems. While Oregon does not prohibit boat operation near dive flags, ODFW and OSMB encourage boaters to stay at least 200 feet away from dive operations.

“Safety is everyone’s responsibility,” says Steve Rumrill, ODFW Shellfish Program Leader. “We want both recreational anglers and commercial divers to be aware of each other and maintain a safe working distance to have a safe and productive day.”

Rumrill advises boaters to go slow, keep a lookout and keep distance from diver flags.

 

More Reports


OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Friday, October 8th, 2021
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, October 6th, 2021
Upper Klamath Lake: Upper Klamath Lake Fishing Report
Klamath River - Upper - OR: Klamath River Fishing Report
Sun Creek: Fishing not recommended at this time. Flows are at 7 cfs
Williamson River: No treble hooks allowed!
Ben Irving Reservoir: Fishing should be good with cooler conditions
Chetco River: The estuary has been bustling with boat and bank anglers lately
Cooper Creek Reservoir: The reservoir may start to fill back up again, but it was still low at last check
Coquille River: Striped bass fishing has been good in the lower Coquille River
Diamond Lake: Recent reports indicate limits for lots of anglers and large fish
Eel Lake: Eel Lake Fishing Report
Eel River: Temporary rule changes for Chinook are now in place Aug. 1-Dec. 31
Garrison Lake: Best time to fish is early or late in the day
Rogue River- Lower: The Huntley Park seining season is coming to a close
Sixes River: Temporary low water fishing closure will start Oct. 1 in the lower river
Tenmile Lakes: Most largemouth bass are in deeper water along hard bottom points
Alsea River: 33lb. Native Chinook
Nehalem River: Chinook fishing on Nehalem Bay slowed a little this week but was still fair
Nestucca River: The Nestucca and Little Nestucca will have a limited wild coho fishery this year
Salmon River: Fall Chinook fishing has been fair on the Salmon River
Siletz River: ***Update*** The Siletz Basin will have a limited wild coho fishery this year
Siuslaw River: Fall Chinook fishing has slowed down on the Siuslaw
Trask River: Chinook fishing remains best in the Trask tidewater
Wilson River: The majority of fall Chinook appear to still be in tidewater
Yaquina River: Fish are now spread throughout the estuary
Detroit Reservoir: Pretty much all techniques will catch fish
Foster Reservoir: Stocked for the last time last week
Santiam River ( North Fork) : River is currently running at 3,800 cfs at the gage in Mehama.
Santiam River ( North Fork) Above Detroit Lake: The river level has increased from recent rains
Willamette River: Coho salmon are currently pouring over Willamette Falls
Hosmer Lake: Anglers report good fishing
Metolius River: Anglers report good fishing
Odell Lake: Odell Lake Report
Wickiup Reservoir: Wickiup Reservoir Report
Grande Ronde River:  Coho season opened on the Grande Ronde on October 1
Imnaha River: Steelhead season is opened on the Imnaha
Umatilla River: Umatilla River Report
Wallowa Lake : Wallowa Lake still has some trout available
Snake River: 6lb. Channel Catfish


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