OREGON COAST — There's something to be said for having an entire bay to yourself to fish.

That's what sturgeon fishermen on three of Oregon's top estuaries will be greeted with in the coming months.

Figure it like this: 90 percent of Oregon's fishing community will be targeting spring Chinook in the mainstem Umpqua, the Columbia and Willamette rivers and even smaller rivers like the Wilson, Trask and Nestucca.

That leaves a lot of opportunity to catch sturgeon in Tillamook Bay, Yaquina Bay, and Winchester Bay.

Sturgeon fishing in Oregon's bays is not a red-hot fishing affair; however, it can be rewarding when you find a group of fish.

And most days, the fish you catch will be keepers, or close to it.

That in itself is enough reason for a small group of fishermen to seek the solitude these bays offer in the spring.

Tillamook Bay

R.J. and Courtney Dawe fished the lower Umpqua and caught this 49-incher.

High water in January and February opened up a lot of fishing water in the bay. It exposed silted clam beds, shrimp beds and eels that sturgeon feed on.

Fishing has been spotty so far, but it typically builds up and gets better with time.

Best fishing: There are a host of places to fish including Bay City (fish in front of the pilings near the Pacific Oyster dolphin); the West Channel; the South Channel (line your boat up with guard rails and the dirt road near Cape Meare's Lake); the Center Channel; and Memaloose Point.

Best setup: Plan on fishing between 4 to 6 ounces of lead. You can get away with fishing salmon gear.

Use 25-pound monofilament or 50-pound braided Dacron line; 4/0 to 6/0 hooks; 16- to 24-inch leader in 80-pound Dacron.

Best baits: Mud shrimp, sand shrimp.

Best tides: Fish the slack tide following a low or minus.

Regulations: One per day, and 10 per year. Any retained sturgeon must be between 42 and 60 inches.

Who to call:

Yaquina Bay

This is a small fishery that doesn't get a lot of pressure. The areas to fish are spread out and it's probably the least productive bay mentioned.

It does, however, give up some good fish. And it offers some good bank fishing opportunities.

Best fishing: The most productive stretch extends from channel marker No. 25, located just past River Bend, up to marker No. 45 near Toledo.

Marker 25, visible from Yaquina Bay Road which runs along the north and west side of the bay, is considered by many as the "go to" spot for both bank and boat anglers.

Those on the bank will find an accommodating pullout and plenty of room here. Marker 37 is another alternative for bank anglers along Yaquina Bay Road.

Above Toledo, a popular spot for bank anglers is on Elk City Road at the bend where Mill Creek enters the Yaquina.

More isolated, South Shore Road follows the south side of the bay and provides access to additional options at markers 42 and 38.

Along with markers 25, 26 and nearby Poole Slough, the areas around Krabbe's and Oregon Oyster are popular for boaters.

The areas near markers 28, 38 and 42 are also worth some effort.

Best setup: Fish your favorite salmon rod and reel. Fish a size 4/0 to 6/0 barb-less hook snelled on 80- to 110-pound braided Dacron or nylon leader about 16 to 24 inches.

From a boat, use a sliding weight system. From the bank, fish a solid tie setup like a three-way swivel.

The amount of weight needed will vary depending on the tide and river exchange. Plan on fishing between 2 to 6 ounces in most situations.

Best baits: There are two baits most preferred: mud shrimp and sand shrimp. The bigger, tougher mud shrimp are the top choice.

Other bait options include herring, anchovies, clam necks, or squid.

Best tides: The best bites occur during the last two to three hours of the outgoing and continues through slack and into the first hour of the incoming tide.

Sources here say the best time is considered at low slack.

Regulations: One per day, and 10 per year. Any retained sturgeon must be between 42 and 60 inches.

Who to call:

Winchester Bay

When you're fishing for spring Chinook this year, consider throwing in your sturgeon rod.

Many believe the best sturgeon fishing begins in April and lasts through June, about the same time the river will be loaded with springers.

It may be slow enough (probably not) to justify targeting sturgeon.

Best fishing: The best fishing isn't in the bay, but further up in the tidewater section of the Umpqua River.

Most people spend their time fishing buoys 10, 12, 15, 17, 25. Anchor off on the edge of the flats and fish the top end of the hole.

If there's heavy current, anchor in the slow water and present your baits on the current seam.

There are some good holes in front of Mill Creek, and later in the spring the Dean Creek area has some decent spots.

Best setup: Use between 4 and 8 ounces of lead. with 6-ounce lead sinkers the most common.

Fish 50-pound TUF line and 90-pound Dacron leader, 18 to 24 inches in length. Use a sliding weight and a 6/0 to 8/0 hook.

Best baits: Sand shrimp, herring, smelt.

Best tides: The last hour of outgoing, or the last hour of a big incoming tide.

Regulations: One fish per day, 10 per year. Minimum length 42 inches, maximum length 60 inches.

Oversize sturgeon cannot be removed in part or totally from the water.

Who to call:

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