Buoy 10 Fishing Report

Buoy 10 Is ON Fire Right Now — Chinook, Coho & Albacore All in Play

This Is What We Fish For All Year

I’ll be honest with you — there are days on the water that remind you exactly why you do this, and right now at Buoy 10 is one of those stretches. The fishing has been flat-out outstanding. We’re seeing big Chinook and heavy Coho coming through the Columbia River estuary in solid numbers, and if that wasn’t enough, albacore tuna have been showing up offshore and they are eating. Big fish, screaming drags, coolers full — this is the Pacific Northwest at its absolute best.

The Buoy 10 fishery opens August 1 and sits right at the mouth of the Columbia River where Chinook and Coho stage before pushing upstream to spawn. This is one of the most unique fisheries in the country — you’re pulling ocean-bright salmon in tidal water, and the fish are thick, strong, and hungry. Early in the season, anglers can keep two adult salmon per day with no more than one Chinook, and you’ll want to know your hatchery fish — mark-selective rules apply to Chinook, so only fin-clipped fish go in the box while wild Chinook are released. It sounds more complicated than it is, and our guides will have you dialed in before the first rod bends.

Preseason forecasts call for roughly 636,500 adult fall Chinook and 358,700 adult Coho returning to the Columbia in 2026. Those numbers are lighter than last year’s returns, but don’t let that fool you — the fish that are here are big, healthy, and aggressive, and we’re putting people on fish every single day. Lower forecast numbers also mean managers watch the season closely and can adjust limits as the run develops, so the anglers who stay flexible and get out early are the ones who consistently have the best trips.

One thing you need before you launch in 2026: Make sure you have your Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement. Washington anglers get it through WDFW, Oregon anglers through ODFW. It’s a separate product from your standard fishing license, and you’ll need it before you fish. Don’t show up to the ramp without it.

If a Buoy 10 trip has been on your radar, stop waiting. The window for the best salmon action runs through September and dates fill up faster than most people expect. Give us a call or book online and let’s get you on the water while the bite is hot.

Book Your Buoy 10 Trip →

Buoy 10 2026: What Anglers Need to Know

The Forecast: Plenty of Fish Headed Our Way

Preliminary numbers point to over 700,000 fall Chinook returning to the Columbia in 2026 — similar to last year’s strong return of more than 650,000 kings. Coho numbers aren’t final yet, but after a 2025 season that produced the 3rd highest coho retention on record between Warrior Rock and Bonneville, the silvers should once again put on a show.

Bottom line: if you’ve been waiting for a year to make the trip to Astoria, this is one to circle on the calendar.

2026 Buoy 10 Season Dates (Tentative)

Mark your calendar — Buoy 10 kicks off August 1 with Chinook retention running through approximately September 6.

• Aug 1–6: 2 salmon daily, only 1 Chinook. Release native coho.
• Aug 7–25: 2 salmon daily, only 1 Chinook. Release native Chinook and native coho.
• Aug 26–Sept 6: 2 salmon daily, only 1 Chinook. Release native coho.
• Sept 7–Dec 31: 2 salmon daily — hatchery coho only.

Warm Up on the Ocean First

Don’t wait until August to wet a line. The Astoria ocean salmon season opens Saturday, June 20, 2026, with an all-salmon fishery (Chinook and hatchery coho). Daily bag is 2 adult salmon, one Chinook max. Chinook must be 22″+, coho 16″+ (and let’s hope we’re not measuring any 16-inchers).

New for 2026 — Don’t Get Caught Without It

Starting January 1, 2026, all anglers need a Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement to fish for salmon or steelhead in the Columbia and many of its tributaries. Pick it up online through ODFW or WDFW before you launch.

A Quick Heads Up

These dates are still tentative pending final approval after the May run-size update. In-season adjustments happen every year, so check ODFW or WDFW regulation updates before you head to the ramp.