The Nehalem gets a run of "summer" Chinook salmon (an early component of the Fall run) and those fish are in the bay. Fishing continues to improve with fish being caught consistently. August is generally the peak month for the early run of Chinook. This is mostly a bay fishery with trolling spinners being a popular method. There is some bobber fishing opportunity in the upper tidewater as well. The wild Chinook bag limit is one adult per day/five for the season from July 1 to November 30, as part of the overall daily bag limit. Wild Chinook jacks may be retained as per the permanent regulations (up to 5/day). See the regulation updates online at: Fall coastal salmon management for more details.

There are cutthroat trout throughout the Nehalem basin and no shortage of places to fish for them. Sea-run cutthroat are showing up in the bay and tidewater, and fishing have been good for them recently. Fish are moving into upriver areas as well. Remember to check for bait restrictions before fishing.