Exploring the Astoria Fishing Scene: A Visitor’s Guide
Astoria, Oregon is a town with a rich history of fishing that offers a unique experience in the Pacific Northwest. Located at the mouth of the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean, Astoria offers anglers salmon, white sturgeon, Dungeness crab and ocean bottom fish, sometimes in the same week. If you are a first-time charterer or if you are back for another Buoy 10 season, knowing what Astoria has to offer allows you to select the best charter for the best time.
Why Astoria Sits at the Heart of Columbia River Fishing
The geography of Astoria brings together a unique fisheries convergence. The lower river is one of the most productive fishing grounds on the West Coast, as the freshwater salmon runs meet the brackish mixing zone of the Columbia River with the influence of the tides of the ocean. Spring Chinook start staging as early as March and ocean salmon trips start up in late June, the Buoy 10 season starts August 1st, and the crabbing season is at its peak in October and November. Guides operate out of Astoria for almost eight months of the year and visitors to the area can access several fisheries in one trip.
Salmon Fishing in Astoria: From Spring Chinook to Fall Coho
Spring Chinook Fishing on the Lower Columbia River
The most desirable salmon in the Pacific Northwest is the spring Chinook. Spring Chinook runs from late March until early April, near Astoria, Oregon, with extensions to the season determined by returns by ODFW. These fish are fat, shiny and big because of their diet of the sea. Patience and local knowledge is a key factor of the fishery and that is what a good fishery guide has. Visiting anglers are consistently ahead of the game when they visit during this challenging time thanks to guides who are familiar with the tides and migration routes.
The Buoy 10 Fishery: Astoria’s Signature August Salmon Season
Buoy 10 is the most popular salmon event on the Columbia River. The management area is from Buoy 10 at the mouth of the river east to a line from Tongue Point on the Oregon shore to Rocky Point on the Washington shore. The season opens August 1st each year. The 2025 forecast was over 736,000 Chinook and almost 350,000 Coho, and the early 2026 forecast is similar, with a preliminary forecast of over 700,000 Chinook. The highest number of people catch their first salmon at Buoy 10 of the year. Guide dates are typically booked in quickly before August.
Ocean Salmon Trips and the Transition to Fall Coho
Guides offer ocean salmon trips from Astoria beginning about the end of June before Buoy 10 opens. Fall Chinook and Coho stage near the river mouth in the Pacific where they feed heavily, and then move into fresh water, and the ocean fishery provides quick action on well-conditioned fish. After the Chinook season at Buoy 10 ends, guides switch to Coho. September is the time when there are fewer boats, pleasant weather and excellent Coho fishing in the lower river. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife releases weekly recreation reports and season updates all year long for current Oregon salmon regulations.
White Sturgeon Fishing in the Columbia River Estuary
White sturgeon are the largest fish in North America’s freshwater rivers and the Columbia River has the largest population in the world. They grow to 6 to 12 feet long and several hundred pounds. A full day of sturgeon fishing near Astoria is different than any other fishing in the Pacific Northwest.
Sturgeon Fishing Near Astoria in 2026: What Visitors Need to Know
The lower Columbia near Astoria has a productive catch-and-release sturgeon fishery from June to July. About 2,200 catch-and-release trips occurred in the lower Columbia in 2024 (2-3 fish released per trip). Some trophy fish up to six feet or more are common. There is no keeper sturgeon season in the Columbia River Estuary in 2026, and all sturgeon fishing this year is catch and release. Big and strong fish caught throughout the day can still be a full and enjoyable charter. Please consult the ODFW Sturgeon Fishing page for the most up-to-date information on the season before booking.
Dungeness Crab Charters and Fall Fishing in Astoria
Astoria is located in one of the most productive Dungeness crab areas on the West Coast. At 14 million pounds per season, on average over the last 25 seasons, the Columbia River commercial crab fishery is the most valuable single species commercial fishery in Oregon. Sport crabbers use the same productive habitat, and productive areas are found in the lower estuary, about 5-6 miles downstream from the Port of Astoria.
Best Time to Book a Dungeness Crab Charter in Astoria
October and November are the best times to go crabbing out of Astoria, when the crabs are in best condition. September is a good month for combination trips which include fall Coho fishing and crab pots for an all day experience. The daily catch is 12 male crabs at least 5 and 3/4 inches in size. Please consult the ODFW Crabbing and Clamming report for open and closed areas before going out.
Planning Your Astoria Fishing Trip: Licenses, Regulations, and Bar Safety
All anglers fishing on the Columbia River mainstem must have a valid Oregon or Washington fishing license and a Columbia River Basin Endorsement. Regulations are co-managed by ODFW, WDFW, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, and may change on short notice. Before heading out, review the ODFW regulation update website to stay on the water and remain legal. The Columbia River Bar is a different story. Tides control whether or not it’s safe to cross the ocean on any particular morning and crossing without experience puts everyone at risk. Years of navigating those conditions are brought by a licensed local guide. The experience helps keep your group safe and helps you get on fish quicker.
Ready to reel one in? Book your Portland fishing trip with Hook’em Up Guide Service today and let us put you on salmon, sturgeon, or steelhead.