Farther upstream, soft-shelled clams inhabit the shoreline flats from the Riverbend area to near Toledo. They're available for the digging on any low tide. Yaquina Bay is also one of the top spots in Oregon for recreational crabbing. Most crabbers set their gear in the deeper portions of the lower three miles of the bay. Check with locals for the best recommendations.
Crab gear is for sale or rent at bait and tackle shops, marinas and some marine-supply outlets.
Inshore species of fish taken in the bay and lower river include greenling, rockfish, sole, flounder and several kinds of perch. The biggest residents of the bay and lower river depths are white sturgeon, which are taken from inside the jetties to deep holes upriver as far as Sawyer's Landing and beyond. This fishery is year-round, ocean conditions permitting. As weather improves and the Pacific begins flattening out in late spring and early summer, more anglers set out in search of these bottomfish. The hot bite here in May is Pacific halibut.