Oregon Ocean Salmon Seasons

Northern Oregon Coast Salmon Fishing

The Pacific Ocean off the Northern Oregon Coast provides a variety of salmon options from May through October. Whether you prefer Chinook, Coho, or are just looking for a fun day on the ocean, there are options to choose from. We’ll be offering guided fishing trips for both spring and fall ocean salmon out of Astoria and Tillamook. Here’s a quick breakdown of the 2022 Oregon Ocean Salmon Seasons.

*Update – Astoria Ocean Salmon is Off to a Great Start!*

July is the perfect time to hit the ocean for some salmon fishing. We’ve been out every day this month, having a blast fishing for salmon. We’re running both Legion’s Mercy (our new 34′ center-console Venture) and our classic sled trips for these ocean trips. Throw in some trophy sturgeon fishing to make it a combo day and your arms may tire out before the fishing slows down.

Astoria Salmon

The timing of the Ocean Salmon season coincides with some of the best known fisheries that take place at the mouth of the Columbia River in Astoria. From the end of May through July we’ll be offering combination trips, fishing for both Ocean Salmon and Columbia River Trophy Sturgeon during trips, when conditions allow. Our new 34′ center-console Venture allows us to add opportunities for ling cod and bottom fish, either at Tillamook Head or the Astoria Canyon. Both of these trip options are a fairly quick trip with the twin 300 hp motors we have onboard. Talk about a smorgasbord! When we switch to the Buoy 10 Columbia River Fall Salmon season in August, we will fish either the ocean or the river, whichever one provides the best experience for the day. 

2022 Astoria Ocean Salmon Season

The Pacific Ocean Salmon season near Astoria starts on June 25th, and this year we have an All Salmon Ocean season where we can chase both Chinook and Coho in the Astoria area. The daily bag limit is 2 adult salmon, only one of which can be a Chinook. Chinook must be at least 22” while Coho must have healed adipose fins (be hatchery salmon) and be at least 16” in length, although let’s all hope we’re not keeping 16” Coho! Ocean fishing is expected to continue through September 30th this year, which gives us lots of days on the water. September also adds the possibility of dropping the crab pots during our Astoria salmon trips. It’s always nice to take home both salmon and crab.

Tillamook Ocean Fishing

Tillamook is full of opportunities for ocean fishing from April through September. Our guided fishing trips can focus on Coho or Chinook Salmon, or we’re happy to get you out for a combination trip where we fish for salmon and bottom fish during the same trip. Combo trips are a favorite. Lots of fun to be had while chasing multiple species of fish, including Ling Cod and sometimes Halibut. When we are able to, we throw in the crab pots to add some Dungeness Crab to the day’s haul. It can be a smorgasbord of seafood!

2022 Tillamook Ocean Chinook Salmon Season

In Tillamook, the Spring Chinook fishing season opened on March 15th. Action typically picks up in May and continues for several months. When the spring season winds down, we’ll head straight into Fall Chinook fishing in the Tillamook area and plan to continue fishing through the end of October. To be retained, all adult Chinook must be at least 24” in length and  the bag limit of 2 salmon (1 adult chinook) per day. As the fish move from salt water to fresh water, we’ll follow them through the bays and up into the rivers, giving us almost 6 months of Chinook salmon fishing in Tillamook.

2022 Tillamook Ocean Coho Salmon Season

The Selective Coho season opens on June 18th and is expected to run through August 21st. Selective Coho are fin-clipped hatchery coho and these feisty fish can provide some nice action in the Tillamook area. When fall arrives, the Non-Selective Coho season allows us to retain native salmon as well. It’s slated to open on September 3rd this year, with retention allowed on Fridays and Saturdays through the month of September. There is a 2 bag limit of 2 adult salmon for these fisheries, with a minimum length of 16”.

If you know our guiding philosophy, we follow the fish, wherever they may be. That means as they move into the bays and rivers in Tillamook, we do as well. This allows us to offer a season beyond the ocean season, and also allows us to fish on days when the ocean may be a little too rough to be enjoyable. We want you to have the best experience possible when you’re out with us. When it’s possible, we’re always happy to throw the crab pots out in addition to fishing. Who doesn’t like a fisherman’s feast?

The Northern Oregon coast provides a variety of Ocean Salmon opportunities from May through October. Whether you’re in Tillamook or Astoria, there are great places to eat, and lots of sights to see once you’re done fishing. We’re more than willing to discuss options with you to help come up with the perfect trip for you.

Please contact us with any questions or to book your trip. We’re always happy to help.