Shad fishing at Coon Island

Full Name:: Mark Niemann-Ross
Email address:: mark@niemannross.com
Activity Title:: Shad fishing at Coon Island
Date of Activity:: 6/22/2026
Narrative:: Let's go fishing from a kayak!

Shad is a type of fish described as "the fish that fed the nation's founders". Adult shad weigh between 3 and 8 lb and they have a delicate flavor when cooked. Best yet - there is no limit on the number of Shad an angler can catch.

I'm told that Coon Island (aka JJ Collins Marine Park) in the Multnomah Slough is an excellent place to catch shad. And I'd like to try.

We'll launch from Chapman landing a beautiful park with steep banks and a tricky launch. Then we'll paddle north along the slough for about 2 miles to Coon Island. Once there, we'll try fishing for a few hours.

Exploring Coon island campground is also a possibility for those interested - although the banks of Coon Island are rumored to be steep. We'll figure out where to have lunch when we're hungry.

When we are ready to leave, we'll paddle back south to Chapman landing.

If you plan to fish for shad, you'll need an Oregon fishing license, fishing pole, shad darts (lures) and some sort of method for containing anything you catch (stringer? Fish basket?)

If you haven't already guessed, this is going to be a trip filled with improvisation. Come prepared to be flexible.
Meeting Time:: 10:00:00 AM
Launch Time:: 10:30:00 AM
Type of activity:: Paddle Trip
Put in:: Chapman landing. (51738 Dike Rd, Scappoose, OR 97056)
Take out:: Chapman Landing
Route Alternative for bad weather:: To be improvised
Required equipment::
Minimum Immersion protection:: Farmer John
Primary Organizer:: Mark Niemann-Ross
Co-Organizer(s)::
Has organizer paddled here before?: No
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before?: No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current?: Yes
First Aid /CPR Person::
Maximum number of paddlers:: 5
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy:: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature:: 70
Estimated Water Temperature:: 62
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch):: 5 hours
Tide times & heights:: high feet
12:35am 2.53
12:28pm 1.75
low feet
8:02am 0.82
7:23pm 0.44
Current information:: no current in the slough
Hazards::
Wind strength:: Level 1: 0-7 knots (8 mph)
Swell/Surf size:: Level 1: Under 1' waves, no breaking waves
Sea state:: Level 1: Waves up to the deck seam; water glassy to rippled, no whitecaps
Landing types:: Level 1: Frequent easy landing opportunities including gently sloping, sand, gravel or grass
Currents:: Level 1: None or mild (less than 1 knot)
Total distance:: Level 1: Up to 6 miles
Open crossing:: Level 1: Less than 0.5 miles
Paddling Environment::
Overall rating:: Level 2
Rating Comments:: I'm calling this level 2 due to landings and unknowns
Location:: Coon Island. ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/UK5NeFtTbgnC1r879 )
Photos (Optional)::
COVID-19 Status of Trip:: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station:: Station: Rocky Point in the multnomah channel
Link to map of route (Optional):
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Put in::
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