Sports & Recreation Activities
Clamming
Razor
clamming
season in Seaside usually opens in early fall and generally lasts through early
to mid-summer. The season is dictated by the domoic acid levels present in
the shellfish. Elevated levels of the toxin make consumption of the shellfish
unsafe. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife monitors the toxin levels
and will open and close clamming season accordingly. Contact
the shellfish hotline at 1-800-448-2474 to get current information regarding
closures.
Before you go clamming, there are 3 essential things you will need: a license, knowledge of the rules and technique, and the appropriate equipment. All clammers 14 years of age and older are required to have a valid shellfish license. Common clamming tools include the clam gun or “tube” and the narrow bladed clam shovel. If using a clam gun you will want to use one at least 4” in diameter. If you use a shovel, be sure to review the proper technique illustrated below so that you don’t break the clam shell. Licenses, regulation booklets and clamming gear are available at Truckie’s One Stop and Bud’s Campground in Seaside.
When to Go: Just about any low tide will do, although the lower the tide the better. Get a tide table and look for the minus tides. Many clammers don’t let the absence of daylight stop them from their catch. Clammer lanterns can be seen all along the Seaside shoreline at the nighttime low tides.
Where to Go: Razor clamming is closed on beaches south of Seaside, but is generally open on beaches from Seaside - North to the Columbia River. Just pick an appropriate beach and head to the water’s edge.
How to Find: Look for the siphon holes and dimples left by the clams as they dig. Some people like to stomp around in a selected area, as doing so frightens the clams and causes them to dig down into the sand, in turn creating the telltale “shows.”
How to Catch: Once you’ve located a good clam “show,” follow the procedure pictured at the right to dig the clam up. You will want to move quickly (razor clams can dig deep into the sand quite fast) but don’t be a clammer spaz either! Too much haste results in broken clam shells and cut fingers. Remember, razor clam shells can be RAZOR sharp!
ATTENTION CLAMMERS! The daily Razor Clam limit per person is the first 15 clams. This means that any clam you dig up is part of your daily limit, regardless of how big or small it is, and its condition (i.e. broken shell). Discarded clams almost always die as a result of breakage or improper placement back in the sand, and such wastage is devastating to clam populations (not to mention the fines you could receive). To avoid breaking the clam shell, follow the technique illustrated. Keep in mind that although it might be a little harder to clean a clam with a broken shell, it doesn’t affect eating quality at all. By looking at the size of the “shows” you can generally avoid smaller clams. “Shows” are the siphon holes or dimples left by the clams as they dig into the sand. A bigger hole usually means a bigger clam. Look for shows that are at least dime sized, and avoid any holes that are smaller. Leaving small clams undisturbed allows them to mature, ensuring that there will be clams to harvest next year.
Crabbing
Here in Seaside the seafood is fresh, but there’s nothing fresher and
more satisfying than catching your own dinner. However, it is important
to note that whether you’re after crab, fish, or clams, you’re
still going to need a proper license. Permits and licenses are sold locally
at most places that sell or rent sporting gear, bait and tackle. When
you buy your license it’s a good idea to pick up a regulation booklet
and review the rules and regulations before heading out.
Easy access to permits, gear and accessories make crabbing, clamming and fishing
something everyone can do. With little effort and expense, these activities
are something that can be enjoyed by the whole family . . . no boat required!
There’s no need to get cold, wet and tossed about on a boat to get your Dungeness Crab. Join the crowd on Seaside’s 12th Avenue Bridge over the Necanicum River. The newly improved bridge features extra wide sidewalks where you can pull up a lawn chair and cooler, dip your crab pots into the river, and wait for the catch of the day! Parking is just across the street at Goodman Park, where the kids can entertain themselves on the playground!
Keep in mind that September through December are probably the best times to go crabbing, however, Dungeness crab can be caught starting in late July or August through February depending on the weather. Most people use some type of fish or poultry meat as bait. Place your traps in an area away from strong current, and be sure to wait 15 or more minutes before reclaiming your traps. When picking a good day to go crabbing, look for a time when there is the smallest difference between the high and low tides. A difference of 5 or less feet will yield the best crabbing.
The legal size for Dungeness Crab is 5.75”, measured across the widest part of the shell (in front of the spikes). You are only allowed to keep males measuring over 5.75”. Fines are imposed for anyone taking undersized males or any females. You are also limited to 3 traps per person, and limited to taking 12 males per person per day.
Fishing
Fishing
opportunities on the North Coast are plentiful. Those interested in charter
fishing on the Columbia River or Pacific Ocean need only go to Warrenton or
Astoria to find numerous boating establishments. Charter fishing trips for
sturgeon, chinook salmon, coho/silver salmon, steelhead, tuna, halibut and
other bottom fish, occur for most of the year. The months of May through September
yield the richest prospects. Perch and other ocean fish can be caught from
the rocky shores of the Cove in South Seaside, a favorite spot for many fishermen.
If you prefer fishing local lakes and streams from your own boat or casting your line from the bank, there are plenty of locations to choose from. In Seaside, Quatat Marine Park and Cartwright Park along the Necanicum River offer boat ramp river access, and at Quatat, you can fish right on the river from the docks. Trout, steelhead and striped bass can all be caught along the Necanicum. Broadway Park on the Neawanna also has a boat ramp and dock out to the river, and you can snag trout there.
Just North of Seaside & Gearhart, is Sunset Lake Park, where you can
fish from the bankside, or boat for trout and other varieties. Cullaby
Lake Park and Carnahan Park, also just North of Seaside off Hwy 101, have excellent
access to Cullaby Lake, where you can catch many types of fish including trout,
steelhead and perch. A little further North in Fort Stevens Park, there
is Coffenbury Lake and smaller Crabapple Lake, where visitors enjoy catching
trout, steelhead, bass, and other fish. Also in Fort Stevens Park, you
can walk out by the South Jetty and fish at the mouth of the Columbia for salmon,
sturgeon, perch and other ocean fish.
Surfing
Surfing is an very popular sport on the Oregon Coast. At the Cove in
Seaside, surfers can be found year-round, practically all day, every day. Seaside
is also home to two surf shops that sell and rent boards, wetsuits, and other
accessories. The staff at these facilities can provide tips and information
on the best places to go for those new to surfing this area. Different
surfing locations each offer something unique, and there are different spots
to suit people with different skill levels. In addition to the Cove,
another favorite location is Short Sand Beach in Oswald West State Park, and
Indian Beach in Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach.
Kayaking & Canoeing
The
North Coast is home to some of the best waterways for kayaking and canoeing.
From the open ocean and rivers to the shallow picturesque inlets and bays,
there are boating opportunities for all skill levels. Most of the year, kayaks
and canoes are available from the local recreation rental shops. For those
serious about learning more about kayaking, there are planned tours and lessons.
Tours of Nehalem Bay, the wildlife refuge waterways of the Columbia, the shores & rock
islands of the Pacific Ocean, and many more, take place throughout the year.
And for those who are a little more competitive, there is an annual Kayak race
around the Ilwaco area. For those who just want a little paddling fun, stop by
a local recreation rental shop, rent a kayak and paddle around the Necanicum
River!
Golf
The area in and around Seaside is home to several beautiful public golf courses.
Just off Avenue ‘U’ in South Seaside there is a 9-hole course with
a putter room and lounge. Further North in Gearhart are two public golf courses.
Gearhart Golf Links, located by the Sandtrap Restaurant & Lounge, offers
the public an 18-hole challenge, and Highlands Golf Course off Del Ray Beach
Rd. features 9 holes of golfing fun. In the Warrenton-Astoria area, the new
Lewis & Clark Golf Course, located at the Crossing on Youngs River Rd,
offers 9-holes in a unique setting.
Tennis & Other Sports
In Seaside, public tennis courts are located at Broadway Park and Seaside
High School. Basketball hoops are located at most of the local parks. Broadway
park, part of the Sunset Empire Park & Recreation District, has a skate park,
area for baseball & soccer, basketball hoops, playground equipment and indoor
public swimming pools.
