Buoy 10 Salmon Run

Buoy 10 is a shipping marker at the mouth of the Columbia River in Astoria, Oregon. It is one of Oregon's most popular and productive salmon fisheries across the Lower 48. Buoy 10 fishery is one-of-a-kind as it offers an initial opportunity to chase Columbia River fall salmon in freshwater. The Columbia River is a major shipping route and a prominent fishing spot. Fish species that head to Columbia have to go through the mouth of the river, meaning Astoria is where anglers should be as Buoy 10 salmon fishing takes center stage in August. The Buoy 10 Salmon Run starts from August until September.

Best Time to Fish in Buoy 10

The salmon season or the Buoy 10 Salmon Run opens every August 1 and goes until August 24. Many anglers focus on salmon fishing closest to Buoy 10 and pursue chinook and coho salmon from hatcheries. It is the first legal fishing spot to hook chinook salmon and coho salmon making their way into the estuary.

Chinook salmon retention opens on August 25 and includes other native fish like steelhead through September 7. Coho salmon take the stage after Labor Day as the summer winds down until the Buoy 10 salmon season ends in October. It will be a great chance to preserve some fresh coho salmon for the winter with a three-fish limit. For some anglers, waiting is a must even after the Buoy 10 fishery opens two weeks later, as it may still be a while until the fishing season heats up. But once it does, anglers can expect good salmon fishing through at least mid-September. Most anglers target Chinook salmon early in the season; however, the Chinook salmon season usually closes earlier and transitions to predominately coho salmon. During the coho salmon season, close to a million coho salmon are expected to arrive, with most of those fish headed to the Columbia River. Marked hatchery fish will also limit coho retention, but with the vast numbers of hatchery coho anticipated, the mark rate should not be an issue.

Certain run-related factors will limit fisheries in Buoy 10, but overall predictions indicate an exciting salmon season. Thousands of fall Chinook are expected to swim to the Columbia River during the salmon run, followed by the summer Chinook crossing the Bonneville Dam.

Boat ramps are available for public use at Ilwaco, Chinook, Cape Disappointment State Park, and Deep River on the Washington side, providing the Buoy 10 area access. On the Oregon side, there are ramps at John Day, Astoria, Warrenton, and Hammond.

Consulting Your Tide Table

Tides play a substantial role in Buoy 10 fishing, especially during the salmon run,  with the gentler tides providing a more significant opportunity for abundant salmon fishing. The incoming and outgoing tides will greatly impact salmon fishing at the mouth of the Columbia River. Interestingly, the absence of a delta at the Columbia River's mouth makes it uncommon for a large river. Instead, silt is carried to deep water via subsea canyons, subjecting the river mouth to currents, tidal movement, and waves. More bait fish, cooler ocean water, and salmon benefit from incoming tides. Many anglers can gradually work inland as the flood tide carries more fish in, coming from a slow start. Salmon are typically drawn to large schools of anchovies that are taken by tides.

While it is beneficial for fishing, transitioning from a high slack tide to an ebbing surge can be hazardous for anglers. The Buoy 10 fishing spot gets particularly turbulent during the ebb tide when the west wind blows. It is vital to be near your takeout as the tide goes out to avoid battling the waves in a strong current.

Generally, salmon fishing is slightly closer to Buoy 10 during huge tides, while better fishing upriver, such as near the bridge, can be found during milder tide series.

Know Where to Fish

Coho salmon are most frequently found near Buoy 10 and farther inland when the water is most ocean-like. They are also caught in fair numbers on the Washington shore off upper Sand Island and up to Chinook, Washington. They are also abundant around the north end of the Astoria-Megler Bridge. Coho fishing is prevalent in the canals closer to the Washington shore, including the Church Hole and upstream above the bridge. Meanwhile, Chinook salmon are found in deeper waters. They are frequently caught in the deep shipping channel along the Oregon coast from Buoy 10 up to Tongue Point, off Hammond, Warrenton, and Astoria.

Consider Hiring a Fishing Guide

It may seem obvious, but hiring a fishing guide may make things easier for anglers. The two best moments to hire a guide to fish Buoy 10 are: (1) if an angler does not have a boat or salmon fishing gear or a companion who does, and (2) experiencing unsuccessful fishing after being in the water for days. A guided fishing trip is the only way to experience fishing in Buoy 10, especially if they lack the equipment needed to fish in the Columbia River. Sometimes, after a day or two without success in fishing in Buoy 10, a professional guide can show anglers the keys to success. Anglers with some experience will constantly benefit the most from a day of fishing with a chartered captain. Buoy 10 fishing during the salmon run can be overwhelming, especially for beginning anglers who might need the help of a fishing charter and an expert guide.

Buoy 10 Salmon Fishing Licenses

Anglers fishing in Buoy 10 at the mouth of the Columbia River must have a fishing license, tag, and Columbia River Basin Endorsement. The same rules apply to kids going Columbia River fishing. Children's licenses are free, but their companions still need to have it as verification that they are of the age to qualify for a free license. Aside from licenses, kids will also need tags and the CRBE. There are various ways to obtain tags and the CRBE. Anglers can purchase a day license with Columbia Basin Endorsement, on which labels are included, or an annual permit with tags and CRBE. They can either buy the license in person or online. Those purchasing online can print their license and tags at home or keep track of them in the MyODFW app.

Takeaway

The Buoy 10 Salmon Run is an exciting event for anglers and a much-awaited salmon fishing season. Patience and salmon fishing skills are needed as anglers brave and challenge the waters of the Columbia River. Anglers must use proper fishing equipment for a smooth salmon angling experience. Anglers must also present valid fishing licenses required.