Are you looking to book a salmon fishing guide or charter for the upcoming salmon season at Buoy 10? If so, click here to book a Buoy 10 fishing charter.
As usual, the Buoy 10 area will open up on August 1. We’ll have opportunities to catch hatchery Chinook into early September. Even after Chinook retention closes at Buoy 10 after September 3, we can still target hatchery coho from the opener clear into the fall, as long as my clients are catching fish.
We will also have opportunities to catch salmon, especially Chinook, in the Columbia River closer to Portland. The fall Chinook season continues longer in upriver areas.
The Oregon and Washington Departments of Fish and Wildlife are predicting similar Chinook runs to last year, in the neighborhood of over half a million of these bigger salmon.
We certainly caught lots of kings!
Early reports predict that the coho run may be smaller than last year, but we’re hoping the return should still offer plenty of catching for silvers heading back to hatcheries in the Columbia River system. After Labor Day, I always keep tabs on whether coho fishing near Buoy 10 or Chinook fishing near Portland or the Columbia River Gorge will offer my clients the best opportunity to put a fresh salmon or two into their cooler.
Remember that pre-season salmon forecasts are always estimates. The actual runs can vary widely. I’ll adjust my fishing locations based on the best options, and you can always touch base with me to learn about your best options to catch salmon on my boat.
It’s also worth reminding ourselves now that August 2024 will be here before we know it, bringing with it some of the best salmon fishing in Oregon and Washington. The Buoy 10 fishery near Astoria offers some of the most reliable salmon fishing on the West Coast, but that’s what makes it so popular. People come from around the world to catch salmon here.
In fact, I’ll once again get a jump on the Buoy 10 season by fishing in the Pacific Ocean offshore starting around July 20. This ocean area typically opens ahead of the estuary and can be excellent.
Another opportunity that only gets better as the fall goes on is Dungeness crabbing. Let me know if you’re interested in combo fishing and crabbing trips in the early fall. Later in the fall, after salmon season, we have excellent luck filling everyone’s limit of fresh crab in the estuary.
Buoy 10 Fishing Report
During the season, be sure to keep up with my regularly updated Buoy 10 fishing reports.
Where is Buoy 10?
Buoy 10 is a navigational aid located at the mouth of the Columbia River, where it empties into the Pacific Ocean. The buoy is situated between the jetties that guide boats in and out of the river.
Is Buoy 10 in the ocean? Or is Buoy 10 in the Columbia River? Well, you could say it’s right where the West’s biggest river meets the world’s biggest ocean. It’s also where every salmon that enters the Columbia River on their return to spawning grounds and fish hatcheries must pass.
But when fishing guides like me and other veteran anglers at this incredible fishery talk about the “Buoy 10 fishery,” we are typically talking about a larger area that starts with a straight line running north-south through that famous buoy.
The management area stretches from there clear inland to an imaginary line drawn from Tongue Point, which is east of Astoria on the Oregon side, north to Rocky Point on the Washington shore. It passes through Red Buoy 44 out in the river.
There are days and even entire weeks when I don’t even see the actual buoy 10, as the fish may be biting right off Hammond, around the Astoria-Megler Bridge, or one of the other top spots. So we’ll go where the fish are thickest and use my proven Buoy 10 salmon fishing methods.
Buoy 10 Fishing Regulations
The rules for fishing in the Buoy 10 area are set each year and depend partially on run forecasts for the various types of wild and hatchery salmon that return to the Columbia River each summer and fall.
Often, the season will open in August and continue well into September, but there are always some things to keep in mind. For example, fishing for chinook salmon usually ends before coho fishing. Typically, we can fish for chinook most of August and often until about Labor Day, while the fishing for hatchery (fin-clipped) silvers usually keeps going strong, often through September.
Close to the Action at Buoy 10
Because Buoy 10 is the most productive place to fish for salmon in the Lower 48 most years, it’s also very popular. The main boat ramps in Astoria, Warrenton, and Hammond are often jammed with people launching their boats for the day.
I again plan to moor my boat at the Hammond Marina right in the thick of the action, so once you secure your date, all you’ll have to do is walk down and step on, and we’ll get after the salmon.
Book a Buoy 10 salmon fishing guide & charter
Now’s the time to book the coming summer’s prime Buoy 10 dates with an expert charter operator like Marvin’s Guide Service before they disappear. Be sure to call me today at 503-314-5087, and let’s hook you up with salmon and crab at Buoy 10!
Buoy 10 Crabbing fishing charter
Maybe you just love crab. November is the time for crab, and it’s easy to reach your limit of Dungeness crab. You’ll be in the comfort of my 27-foot covered and heated boat for a guided crab fishing trip.
If you want to go crabbing, Oregon has a limit of 12 crabs per person. After a successful crabbing trip, you can have your catch cooked at the marina. The marina can also vacuum-pack your catch and prepare it for shipping.
Whether you want to catch salmon, crab, or both, now’s the time to book your Buoy 10 charter with Marvin’s Guide Service. Call today at 503-314-5087 and let’s hook you up with salmon and crab at Buoy 10!
Be sure to read about our great fishing and crabbing trips in the Astoria area. Book your Buoy 10 salmon fishing guide & charter here
This is a picture of a large catch of salmon caught at Buoy 10 by Marvin’s Guide Service. The salmon were caught using Marvin’s proven Buoy 10 salmon fishing methods. Marvin is an expert at fishing in the Buoy 10 area, and his methods are very effective. If you are looking for a Buoy 10 salmon fishing guide, be sure to book your charter with Marvin!
This is a photo of a limit of Oregon Dungeness crab. These were caught on a guided crabbing trip with Marvin’s Guide Service.
Buoy 10 is located at the mouth of the Columbia River, where the river meets the Pacific Ocean.
Astoria Visitor Information
Where to Stay in the Astoria Area
Check out this season’s Columbia River salmon forecast.
Last Updated on by Marvin
