Final Countdown to Buoy 10 Fishing
It’s the final countdown to the Buoy 10 Salmon Season on the Columbia River, and we can’t wait to see what the 2026 season has in store for us. We’ve been looking forward to this popular fishery for months, and the time is finally here! The river opens for fall salmon fishing on Friday, August 1st. Astoria is ready and so are we. As much as we have enjoyed ocean salmon and trophy sturgeon fishing this summer, nothing can compare to what takes place during the Buoy 10 season. If you’ve never experienced it, you might want to check it out. Hotels are bustling, restaurants are ready to serve some great local food, and it’s always fun to visit some of the unique historical sights like Battery Russell or Fort Clatsop while you’re in town.
2026 Buoy 10 Chinook Salmon
With a forecast of almost 650k Chinook and over 350k Coho, we’re expecting a long and productive fall season in Astoria, which kicks off August 1st. This year’s forecast is a little lower than the actual returns for last year, and if you fished with us last year, you know it was a good year. Chinook retention will go through September 2nd, giving us almost 5 weeks of prime Chinook fishing at Buoy 10. We’ve been ocean salmon fishing since the end of June, and now it’s time to do some Columbia River salmon fishing. Over the past month or so, the salmon have been putting on weight while munching on baitfish just outside the mouth of the river. Chinook will be starting their run up the Columbia River shortly and we’re ready to chase them in the freshwater as they head to their birth waters. If the fish we’ve been catching during our ocean fishing trips are a sample of what’s to come, we’re in for some good Buoy 10 fishing.
2026 Buoy 10 Coho Salmon
Buoy 10 Chinook season closes on September 2nd, but that doesn’t mean we’re done fishing then. We simply switch to Coho salmon fishing, and keep on fishing. The 2026 Coho forecast is for over 350k silvers. Don’t miss out on this favorite fishery. September offers a slightly different scene than August. Summer travelers have returned home and there are fewer boats on the river. It’s a bit more laid back and can offer some nice weather as well. Crabbing picks up in September and we’re happy to throw out the crab pots during your fishing trip. Just let us know if you’d like to do some crabbing. We’ll give you details on getting the correct license for whatever you choose.
Beyond Buoy 10 Fall Salmon
We still have some dates available for the Buoy 10 season, and the fishing doesn’t end there. Columbia River Fall Salmon fishing will continue through October, including fishing in Astoria, the Portland area and near the Klickitat River in the Columbia River Gorge. We expect to be fishing from mid-September into November on the Lewis River and in the Tillamook area as well.
Let us know if you have any questions or would like to book a trip. We’re always happy to help.