Little Nestucca River
Little Nestucca River
Approximately 20 miles (32 km) long, the Little Nestucca River is located on the Pacific coast of northwest Oregon in the United States. The river drains an area of the Central Oregon Coast Range west of the Willamette Valley.
The Little Nestucca River starts in the Van Duzer State Forest near Salem, then flows northwest through the Siuslaw National Forest. Eventually, it reaches Pacific City and crosses U.S. Route 101 before ending in Nestucca Bay on the Pacific Ocean. Much of its length is paralleled by County Road 130
Nestucca Bay is located at the south end of the Nestucca River, which flows into the bay from the north. The two water bodies are approximately parallel to each other, with a distance of about 2.5 miles between them at their closest point.
Fishing
According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, The Little Nestucca River provides steelhead fishing opportunities, and it is known for its winter steelhead fishing. A few hatchery fish are usually present all winter, but the best chance for a wild fish is March. Anglers can keep hatchery fish through December 31st and should release any wild steelhead they catch during the season.
Recreation
The Little Nestucca River offers excellent recreation opportunities, such as fishing and rafting. The river is divided into two sections for the purposes of recreational use: a wild water section from its headwaters to Pacific City and a flatwater section from Pacific City to the mouth. The wild water section is renowned for its rapids, particularly Whitehorse Rapids, while the flatwater section is suitable for kayaking, canoeing and fishing.
