Willipia bay questions

[FeatherFanatic]

How difficult is it to navigate inside the bay ? Best launch options with a dock? Even at low tide is the water fairly deep still? Anything else I should know ?  Thank you

[huntnphool]

 Assuming you meant Willipa Bay, low tide can leave you high and dry. If you get stuck, stay in the boat.

 Tokeland used to have a ramp that we used, haven’t been there in a few years though so things may have changed.

[7mmfan]

Depends on where in the bay you are. My uncle is an oyster farmer there, and says that somewhere between 20000 and 30000 acres of it go dry twice a day. Lots of braided channels. Thats mainly south and central part of the bay between Stoney Point and the Palix. The north side of the bay is more uniformly deep though I believe. No bearing on launches.

[FeatherFanatic]

Yes that's the one! Lol  thank you.  Both. I'll just have to take a drive down there at low tide and see what I am dealing with. Definitely don't wanna run my big @ss boat ashore

[Sitka_Blacktail]

There is also a public launch just on the southern outskirts of Southbend, up the Willapa River.  You can follow the main channel down to the bay following the pilings, and range markers. They run large (80 ft) boats all the way up to Raymond.

There is a public launch in Bay Center also, next to the cannery and restaurant.

[metlhead]

Navigating the bay depends on boat type. You mentioned a dock, so may we assume you have a large boat? South bend launch at the park. Turn left and hunt. You will be limited to the main channel. Best bet is to go out on low tide and you will see the finger channels that will get you into the marshes. Do not go out on a falling tide, I won't drag you off.You can anchor in the channel, away from traffic lanes, and kayak in. And, hunting from a boat is a waste of time. Best shooting comes from spots absent of all cover.

[Scvette]

And don’t forget if your hunting geese down in that area you need to pass the goose identification course.

[bigtex]

A good portion of the bay is a National Wildlife Refuge, part of it is open to waterfowl hunting and part of it is closed.

https://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Region_1/NWRS/Zone_2/Willapa_Complex/Willapa/Documents/2019-2020%20Willapa%20Waterfowl%20Hunt%20Regs.pdf

[FeatherFanatic]

Thanks for the information guys. My boat is a 23-foot duck water. I do have my goose card and my seaduck card as well as brant