Nehalem Bay Kayaking, Fishing & Crabbing
Positioned right on the edge of the scenic Nehalem River and Bay, Wheeler on the Bay Lodge is a premier destination for water recreation on the North Oregon Coast. Whether you want to quietly paddle past local wildlife, spot sea birds, troll for prize Chinook Salmon, or drop a crab pot for fresh Dungeness crab, your adventure starts right at our private dock.
Outdoor Adventures on Nehalem Bay
Exploring Nehalem Bay by Kayak
Paddling out onto the calm, glassy waters of the bay offers an up-close look at the stunning natural surroundings of Tillamook County.
- Free Kayak Rentals: Guests staying with us for two or more consecutive nights enjoy complimentary use of our on-site single and tandem kayaks.
- Stable & Easy to Use: Our fleet features high-stability kayaks that are perfect for beginners and experienced paddlers alike.
- What We Provide: We supply life jackets, basic paddling instructions, and direct launch assistance from our shoreline to ensure a safe, stress-free excursion.
- Wildlife Viewing: Keep your eyes peeled as you paddle! It is incredibly common to cross paths with majestic blue herons, egrets, cormorants, passing river otters, and curious harbor seals.
- Safety Guidelines: To protect our guests, kayak use is strictly subject to favorable weather, calm river currents, and daylight hours.
Oregon Coast Fishing & Boat Mooring
Nehalem Bay is legendary among Pacific Northwest anglers for its robust seasonal fish runs. You can cast a line directly from our property or head out into deeper waters.
- Prize Salmon Runs: Our waters are famous for summer and fall runs of massive Chinook Salmon, while Coho Salmon generally show up from August through October.
- Year-Round Variety: Depending on the season, anglers can also target Steelhead trout (highly active from November to April, peaking in February and March) and Sturgeon.
- Moor Your Own Boat: Skip the hassle of loading and unloading daily. Bring your own fishing boat and moor it right on our private dock during your stay for just $15 per night! (Please call ahead to confirm slip availability).
What You Can Keep: Per Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) regulations, the daily limit is 12 Dungeness crabs per person. You may only keep male crabs that meet size requirements; female and soft-shell crabs must be safely released.
Crabbing on the Bay
Nehalem Bay offers exceptional crabbing throughout the year, making it a fun and delicious activity for the entire family.
- When to Catch the Best Crab: The meatiest Dungeness crabs are caught between September and February.
- The Best Time of Day: Aim for “slack water”—the calm period around high or low tide when the water stops moving. Crab crawl around and forage during slack water because they aren’t being pushed around by heavy tidal exchanges. Crabbing on days with minimal tide differences can yield great catches all day long.
- Bait: Many different types of bait are used: turkey, chicken, clams, fish carcass, shad, herring, etc.
- The meatiest crabs are found September through February. You can quickly tell a male from a female by the width of the abdominal flap. The males have a narrow flap, while the female’s flaps are wider and bell-shaped. Use either crab pots or rings to catch crab. When using rings, pull them up after 15 to 20 minutes. Crab pots should be allowed to soak for at least an hour. Be extra cautious when reaching into a pot or ring full of crab. A pinch from a crab can be very painful.
- Releasing soft shell crab is strongly recommended. Soft shell crab are newly molted. The volume of meat is low, and the quality is usually stringy and less palatable.
- Be sure to carefully and quickly release unwanted crab. Do not throw them from heights, as this will crack their carapace and kill them. It is illegal to retain only the claws of any species.
On-Site Amenities for Anglers & Crabbers
We are fully equipped to support your successful day on the water. To ensure a comfortable stay for everyone, we provide dedicated outdoor spaces for processing your catch:
- Fish Cleaning Station: Do not clean, process, or store raw seafood inside your room. Instead, make full use of our professional, clean fish cleaning station located right on our private dock.
- Outdoor Cooking & BBQs: To keep our guest rooms smelling fresh and sparkling clean, cooking seafood inside the rooms is prohibited. However, we love a fresh seafood feast! Ask the front office for a private barbecue grill kit so you can cook your fish out on our waterfront decks. We also provide Crab Boil Pots with Propane Burner. Freezer Storage: Bring a cooler to take your catch home safely. If you need to keep your fish frozen or chilled overnight, we have guest freezer space available upon request.
Right Next Door: Wheeler Marina
Need licenses, gear, or a motorized boat? We are located directly next door to the historic Wheeler Marina, making it incredibly easy to gear up for a day on the bay. At the marina, you can:
- Purchase short-term (3-day) or annual Oregon fishing and shellfish licenses.
- Rent fully equipped crabbing boats, crab pots, rings, and fresh bait.
- Buy tackle and utilize their commercial crab cookers.
- Get friendly, real-time advice from local experts on where the fish are biting today!
