Explore Our Vacation Spots and Waterways

Local Lakes

Rockaway Beach is blessed with a series of lakes that run north and south adjacent to U.S. Highway 101. These lakes are the remnants of what was the ancient channel of the Nehalem River, which at one time emptied into the Pacific Ocean at Garibaldi. When the river changed course and began emptying into Nehalem Bay, it left the lakes behind.

From the south, the lakes begin with Smith Lake south of town, followed by Spring Lake, Lake Marie, Clear Lake, Lake Lytle and Crescent Lake. There also are several small lakes or ponds, the most noteworthy of which is Nedonna Lake, just north of town. The largest of the lakes, Lake Lytle, has a boat launch facility operated by Tillamook County. Other lakes are primarily surrounded by private property and have varying degrees of public accessibility.

Lake Lytle

The largest lake in Rockaway Beach is Lake Lytle, which also offers a county boat launch.

Lake Lytle covers 65 acres and is on the east side of U.S. Highway 101. A public angling dock is located directly off Highway 101 with ample parking on the wide highway shoulder. Several other bank access locations are along the shoulder, also. The boat launch and angling dock are off of 12th Street on the north end of the lake. The lake is stocked from mid-March through early May with legal rainbow and cutthroat trout. Large-mouth bass are also present.

Crescent Lake

Crescent Lake is just north of Lake Lytle and is considered part of the Lake Lytle fishery. The lake is separated from U.S. Highway 101 by private property. NE Lake Boulevard skirts the woods around the lake to the north and east.

Spring Lake

Spring Lake is located at the south end of Rockaway Beach on the east side of U.S. Highway 101. The lake is 13 acres, but is mostly surrounded by private land. Public bank access is restricted to the highway shoulder. Parking along the highway is limited, with few wide spots, and extreme caution should be used. Because of safety concerns, this lake is not the most suitable for children to fish. Legal rainbow and cutthroat trout are stocked annually from mid-March through early May. Some large-mouth bass are present, but seldom caught by bank anglers.

Smith Lake

Just south of Rockaway Beach is Smith Lake. It is a 35-acre lake located on the west side of U.S. Highway 101. Private land surrounds most of this lake, also. Camp Magruder borders the lake on the west. Bank access is limited from the highway side and requires a short trail walk over uneven terrain. Adequate parking is available on the highway shoulder. Children and older anglers would find easier and safer access at other lakes around the county. Stocking occurs during April with legal-size rainbow and cutthroat trout. There are no public docks or boat launches that access this lake. Small numbers of large-mouth bass are present, but few are caught by bank anglers.

Lake Marie

Lake Marie is a small lake just east of U.S. Highway 101 between Minnehaha and Washington streets. It is the site of the Stanger Memorial VFW Park and a community garden.

Nedonna Lake

This lake, located in the Nedonna Beach area, is stocked with rainbow trout by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

It is a small body of water and ideal for children to fish because it is easily accessible and safe. There are no docks and a limited amount of shoreline, so it is easy for adults to keep an eye on their children while the kids get the feeling of fishing on their own. To get to the lake, take the Manhattan Beach turnoff on U.S. Highway 101 - Beach Street. The lake is near the junction of Nedonna Avenue and Beach Street. Turn north on Nedonna Avenue and the lake is a short block to the north.
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