Lance Fisher Fishing | Astoria, Oregon
10 Pier One, Suite #104
Astoria, Oregon 97103
503.217.4810
Astoria Fishing – Guided Fishing Trips and Fishing Charters
Lance Fisher Fishing offers guided trips and fishing charters in Astoria, fishing for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, bottom fish, halibut, tuna and crab. There is actually so much fishing in the area, that after 25+ years, we’re still learning and discovering new fishing opportunities!
Our operation is family, friend, and business-friendly. Our boats range in size from 22-34′ and are clean, state of the art, and equipped with the best fishing and safety equipment. On Legion’s Mercy, our 34′ center console, we even offer a full bathroom. We’re about catching fish, but we want the whole experience to be top-notch. For more information about what our customers think of us, please check out our reviews.
Lance Fisher Fishing is the only guide and charter service that offers complete services at Astoria’s West Basin, Astoria’s premier marina. Our services on Legion’s Mercy include rain gear, boots for those without, and private vacuum packing for our customers in our marina office. These are perks that are not available to the public and reserved for our clients only.
Below you will find summaries for the salmon, sturgeon, bottom fish, and tuna fishing we do out of Astoria. Have a look at the various options and don’t hesitate to contact us. There’s a lot of information to digest and we’re here to help guide you through the process of selecting your perfect fishing trip, and guiding you towards the right accommodations and places to eat! Call us or contact us through our Questions and Reservations form.
2026 Astoria Fishing Report and Updates:
August 21st, 2026: Buoy 10 salmon fishing is in full swing and it’s prime time for fishing out of Astoria. We are so thankful for our many options this year.
Buoy 10 Salmon: Opened August 1st, 2026. Big Salmon right in front of town. One of the great Salmon fisheries in the world!
Ocean Salmon: The Chinook and Coho season opened June 20th and fishing has been on fire! The last day of ocean salmon retention out of Astoria is August 24th, 2026.
Bottom Fish: Fishing for black rock fish and lingcod on the jetty and out at the Astoria Canyon. Fishing has been very good!
Trophy Sturgeon: June – August. Big fish and lots of them! We’ve wrapped up the season but it’s never too early to book for 2027!
Tuna: July – September. Anywhere from 25-70 miles out. Albacore tuna fishing out of Astoria is legendary!
Halibut: Was open Thursday, Friday and Sundays until we reached the quota.
Astoria Salmon Fishing
Astoria has been one of the largest salmon fishing hubs for over 250 years, and still provides incredible salmon fishing opportunities for nearly half of the year. There aren’t many other salmon fishing locations in the world that can offer that. With 3 Chinook Salmon runs, a Sockeye run, and a Coho/Silver Salmon run, there are plenty of guided fishing trips to choose from. Whether you prefer to fish the Columbia River or desire to get out on the ocean, Astoria is the place to experience salmon fishing.
2026 Astoria Ocean Salmon Season
Chinook and Coho ocean salmon fishing opened on June 20th, 2026 and the fishing has been on fire. The ocean will be closed to salmon retention effective August 25th, 2026. It’s never too early to start planning for next season. 2027 will be here before we know it. We’ll start fishing as soon as the ocean salmon season opens at the end of June. Make it a combo day by adding some lingcod and black rockfish to the icebox, which is always a customer favorite when conditions allow. We have options on both Legion’s Mercy and our traditional sled boats. This is our first chance to target Columbia River fall salmon before Buoy 10 opens on August 1st.
Buoy 10 Salmon Fishing
Buoy 10 may be the biggest fishery on the continent and it’s not hard to see why. Astoria is perfectly situated for us to target Columbia River fall salmon as they enter the river. It’s like having a fishing funnel as they head into the freshwater. While named for the Buoy 10 marker, we actually fish about 40 square miles of water at the Buoy 10 fishery. That’s a lot of water! With opportunities for both Chinook and Coho fishing, plus crabbing after Labor Day, Buoy 10 is the place to be for fall salmon fishing from August into October.
2026 Buoy 10 Salmon Season (updated 8/21/26)
The fall salmon season kicked off on the Columbia River on August 1st with opportunities for Chinook and Coho salmon retention. This is one of the most popular fisheries in the Pacific Northwest. Check out all of the Buoy 10 details and let us know when you would like to get out on the water with us. These trips book up quickly and you don’t want to miss out.
- August 1st – August 9th: All Chinook (native and hatchery) and hatchery Coho.
- August 10th – September 2nd: Chinook and Coho. Only hatchery fish may be retained.
- September 3rd – December 31st: Hatchery Coho only. FYI – September and October trips can also include Dungeness crabbing, making for a great fisherman’s feast.
Astoria Sturgeon Fishing
One of the most unique, powerful and fun fish that you will find. The Columbia River Sturgeon in Astoria are an amazing fish. Sturgeon in the Astoria area are different than their brethren elsewhere, as most are migratory ocean fish. Astoria area sturgeon come into the Columbia River chasing the billions of anchovies that find themselves in the Columbia River Estuary. It’s not uncommon for us to catch 60 fish in a day with 10-20 of these fish between 60-120 pounds. World-class fishing by every definition!
2026 Astoria Sturgeon Season
This is one of our most action-packed fishing trips. June and July were be busy with Trophy sturgeon fishing in Astoria, which can provide some crazy good fishing as we target the largest fresh-water fish in North America. Anglers of all ages and abilities love testing their mettle against these monster fish. It’s never too early to book your 2027 trophy sturgeon trip.
Astoria Bottom Fishing
Astoria may be known for its salmon fishing, but don’t forget about the incredible bottom fishing opportunities that exist as well. Rockfish and lingcod provide some great fishing action and make for some really good eating once you get back home. Whether we cruise down to Tillamook Head or fish one of the hotspots by the jetty, it’s a quick trip to the fishing grounds. Prepare to reel in some fish during a combo trip for both salmon and bottom fish. We’ll even drop the crab pots after Labor Day to help you bring home a seafood feast.
2026 Astoria Halibut and Lingcod Season
In Astoria we fished the all-depth season for halibut on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays from April 30th through June 28th. Daily bag limit was one Pacific halibut. Annual limit is 6 halibut. Thanks to those who joined us on Legion’s Mercy for some great bottom fishing.
2026 Astoria Bottom Fishing Season
We start running bottom fishing trips for rockfish and/or lingcod out of Astoria when the ocean salmon season opens up at the end of June. We run both Legion’s Mercy (our premium option) and our traditional sled boats for ocean trips. When conditions allow we love getting customers out for combo trips where we have the potential to end up with salmon and bottom fish in the ice box by the end of the day. These trips are based on tides and fill up quickly, so get in touch with us to book your trip before the calendar is filled up.
Astoria Tuna Fishing
Our 34’ Venture, Legion’s Mercy, gives us the comfort, speed, and range we need to run tuna fishing trips out of Astoria. Be ready for some crazy action once we get to the albacore tuna fishing grounds, and make sure you have room in your freezer for your catch. We start tuna fishing at the end of July and keep running trips into October. Once you catch and eat your own tuna, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought again.
Frequently Asked Fishing Questions When Fishing Astoria:
What types of fishing can you do in Astoria?
Astoria offers both ocean and Columbia River fishing opportunities. We target salmon, bottom fish (rockfish and lingcod), halibut, and albacore tuna in the salt water. In the fresh water we target salmon and sturgeon. In the fall we also drop the pots for Dungeness crab.
When is the best time to fish in Astoria?
That depends on what species you would like to target, and whether you prefer the Pacific Ocean or Columbia River.
May – June: Halibut
June – July: Trophy Sturgeon
Late June – July: Ocean Salmon and Ocean Combos for salmon and bottom fish, like rockfish and ling cod
August: Buoy 10 Chinook and Coho Salmon
September – Mid-October: Buoy 10 Coho Salmon and Crab, sometimes bottom fishing as well
When is the best time to salmon fish in Astoria?
Ocean salmon fishing typically opens the last week of June. Astoria is famous for the Buoy 10 fishery, which marks the start of the fall Columbia River salmon season. It traditionally opens on August 1st and through September, even into October, we’ll be chasing either Chinook and Coho salmon.
How much does a fishing license cost? Do we need tags as well?
Both Oregon and Washington fishing licenses can be used when launching from Astoria. If you’re not a Washington resident you will need an Oregon license, and really it’s easier to get your license through Oregon’s online system anyway. Just be sure to add the Columbia River Endorsement before you check out.
Day licenses for both states include your salmon/steelhead/sturgeon tag (catch record card in WA) and run about $25. Annual fishing licenses and tags work great for those who plan to fish more throughout the year, whether with us or on your own. Both can be purchased online or at a local retailer. We’ll include all of the details regarding licenses in your trip confirmation email and you can also learn about them on our Fishing Licenses page.
Do you provide the fishing gear, tackle, and bait?
Yes, we do! Everything you need to fish, from top-notch rods and reels to tackle and bait, is provided for you to use during your guided fishing trip with us. We’ll even clean and filet your catch at the end of your trip!
What’s the difference between Lance Fisher Fishing and the bigger charter boats?
That’s a question we get asked a lot. We’re unique in what we have to offer. At Lance Fisher Fishing we run small private fishing charters. While our boats are licensed and built to fish up to 6 people at a time, I personally prefer to only fish 4 clients at a time. I will fish 6 clients upon request. For larger groups, we simply use multiple boats.
Big boat fishing charters could have as many as 40 people on a fishing trip. In my opinion a good fishing trip allows for lots of room to move around, and a boat that can navigate the area around Astoria quickly. Did you know that we often travel 20-30 miles per day? Many of the big boat charters only travel 10-15 miles per hour whereas our boats will travel up to 40 miles per hour. Furthermore, when we find fish, we often are moved off the fish by the tides. This causes us to run back up above where we’re fishing and then come through the area again. When fishing for Salmon in the Columbia River, we may make these mile-long passes and subsequent moves to get up ahead of the fish up to 20 times in a day. While our 6-pack boats do this very easily, you will rarely see a big boat fishing charter use such a technique. It takes too long for boats like that to make these sort of moves and they burn too much fuel while doing it. You will pay less per person for the big boat fishing charters, but you will also get less of many of the things that will make your day on the water special.
What do we need to bring?
We provide all of the necessary fishing equipment, tackle and bait. All you need to bring is yourself, dressed in appropriate clothing for possible conditions (layers are always good), your fishing license, and whatever you would like to eat/drink for the day. All of the details will be in your trip confirmation email, which we’ll send out once you book your trip.
What should we wear when fishing in Astoria?
Astoria has its own unique weather environment. The combination of the warm waters of the Columbia River and the cooler waters of the Pacific Ocean can make for some pretty weird weather. While it may be a beautiful 75 degree day in Portland, it could be 57 degrees and drizzling in Astoria. You wouldn’t have any indication of such from where you may be staying in Portland, or further south on the coast. There are also times when we will take on spray as we are traveling. This usually occurs with an afternoon NW wind and at times there’s no way around it.
It’s a REALLY good idea to have rain gear on board. I fish in shorts and a T-shirt and always have a sweatshirt for the morning. If needed, I simply put my rain gear over my shorts and T-shirt and am able to quickly slip it off should the weather decide to get nice. There’s plenty of storage room in my boat, so bringing a bag with your layers is no problem.
Can kids fish?
Certainly! Fishing is a sport enjoyed by all ages, and the more the merrier. Kids can be quick to pick up on the motion of fishing, and by the end of your trip the kids may be teaching you a thing or two. Families are always welcome onboard our boats. A guided fishing trip allows you to simply enjoy the day with your kids or grandkids, while leaving all of the details to us. Just let us know how old your kids are and we’ll show you the best options available.
Will we get seasick?
It is something to think about when planning your trip, but there are options if you’re concerned. Many of our Astoria fishing trips can or do take place on the Columbia River, which is generally smoother than the ocean. It’s a great option for people who may prefer to stay on the river for a variety of reasons, and we’re happy to help coordinate things. Let us know if you’re prone to motion sickness when you’re reserving your trip so we discuss options. For those who book the whole boat, we can work to find the smoothest spots for the day. Ask your doctor about the scopolamine patch, which tends to work better than dramamine. Sea Bands work on pressure points on your wrists and can be helpful as well. We want you to have the best experience possible, so don’t hesitate to let us know if you have questions or concerns.
Why do tides matter?
Tides are a big deal for all bodies of water where there is tidal influence and Astoria is no different. Whether you’re hoping to fish the Columbia River or heading into the Pacific Ocean we know which tides work best for different species and will help you choose the best fishing opportunity.
We will be flying home. How do we get our fish home from Astoria?
We get this question a lot. Enough to make a page to give you all sorts of information about how to get your fish home with the airlines.
Can I ship my fish home?
Almost all of our customers take their fish home with them, whether their driving or flying. If you do need to ship your catch home, there’s a great local shop that can help with that. Check out Gezellig Seafoods.
We’re from out of town. Where should we stay?
When it comes to lodging, there are a variety of options to choose from, whether you prefer the larger chains, the smaller boutique hotels, or Airbnb. Some people love the hustle and bustle of being in town while others prefer to stay in quieter areas. Your trip confirmation will include the names of some local hotels that offer discounted rates to our customers, but there are numerous other options out there. If you don’t know the area and you’re trying to build your travel plan, feel free to ask questions. We’re always happy to help you create the best experience possible and part of that is lodging. No matter where you choose to stay, a short drive will get you to your launch location the morning of your trip.
How do we book our trip?
Give us a call or use our Questions and Reservations button. We’ll help guide you through your options, answer any questions, and help get you set for the fishing trip that is perfect for you. A deposit is all that’s needed to hold your date. We’ll send you a trip confirmation email with all of the details. The hardest part of the process is probably waiting for your fishing day to arrive. 🙂
We’re always happy to help. Let us know if you have questions or would like to book a trip.
While You’re in Astoria
Are you interested other fishing possibilities? Visit our locations in Portland, Oregon, the Columbia River Gorge, and Newport, Oregon. You can also see our fishing trips throughout Oregon and Washington.