Astoria / Columbia River Entrance is a vast estuary fishery built around lower Columbia channels, tidal flats, jetties, and the transition to the Pacific. Chinook and coho salmon are major migratory targets, with white sturgeon adding a distinctive large-river and estuary opportunity.
Current Coastal Rating
Fair · 63
Beta
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Should I Go?
Trip conditions only. Target-species activity and seasonal fishery patterns are not yet included.
Consider
Trip conditions may be workable, but important cautions or data limitations remain.
High confidence in the evaluated inputs — observational coverage is partial. — Required data sources were available and the key inputs were current.
Evaluates trip conditions using weather, tides, currents, waves, daylight, and active alerts.
This coastal rating is in public beta.
Missing waves are not calm. Forecast is not an observation. Prediction is not an observation.
Because this rating is in public beta, recommendations are capped at Consider when evidence is limited.
Recommended window
Tuesday · 12:00 PM–3:00 PM PDT
Window score
81
Max wind
9 mph
Max gust
19 mph
Daylight
100% of window
Tide state
falling
Why
Strong daylight coverage supports the evaluated window.
Current Readings
Updated Oct 20, 2026, 6:17 AM
NOAA Station
NOAA Station selected
Source
NOAA CO-OPS
Astoria station
0.0 mi from destination
Water level
3.2 ft MLLW
Updated 6 min ago
Wind
ENE · 3 mph
Updated 6 min ago
Wind gust
7 mph
Updated 6 min ago
Past 7 Days
NOAA Station
NOAA Station selected
Water level
Window Oct 13, 2026, 6:17 AM – Oct 20, 2026, 6:17 AM (rolling 168 hours)
Water level over the past 7 days. 1680 observations · from Oct 13, 2026, 6:18 AM · to Oct 20, 2026, 6:12 AM Range -0.9 ft MLLW to 8.8 ft MLLW.
Readings decreased over the available period.
1680 observations · from Oct 13, 2026, 6:18 AM · to Oct 20, 2026, 6:12 AM
Tidal-current predictions are not available for this destination.
Tidal-current timing can differ from high and low tide timing.
Fishery Profile
Fishery Overview
Astoria / Columbia River entrance estuary fishery
The Oregon-side Columbia estuary / Astoria waterfront fishing unit. Anglers target Chinook and coho in the Buoy 10 estuary salmon fishery, plus lingcod when Marine Zone tables apply. ODFW states Buoy 10 generally offers a safer alternative to crossing the Columbia River bar.
Fishery type
Pnw estuary protected bay
Fishing modes
Shore
Inshore boat
Habitat and structure
Columbia estuary inside the Buoy 10 line · Astoria / Warrenton Oregon-side launches · Fort Stevens State Park bank fishing
Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Aug 21, 2026
Not a live bite forecast.
Fishery Targets
ODFW describes Buoy 10 as a late-summer/early-fall Columbia salmon fishery that opens and closes on short notice. Groundfish follow Marine Zone tables. Buoy 10 open and close dates change and are not fixed here.
This reflects typical biological/fishery timing, not a legal open season. Check current regulations before fishing.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency and editorial sources. About fish illustrations
Chinook salmon
PrimaryRegulations vary annually
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Typical seasonal opportunity: LATE SUMMER — EARLY FALL
ODFW ocean-harvest tag Astoria (1). Columbia mainstem Buoy 10 to Tongue Point is code 211. Opening dates change and are not a permanent season.
Coho salmon
PrimaryRegulations vary annually
Oncorhynchus kisutch
Typical seasonal opportunity: LATE SUMMER — EARLY FALL
ODFW Buoy 10 copy is Chinook and coho. Confirm current ESA harvest guidelines rather than freezing dates.
Lingcod
Secondary
Ophiodon elongatus
Typical seasonal window begins in December
Typical seasonal window: DECEMBER — MARCH
May also be present outside this peak window.
Typical Seasonal Targets
Chinook salmon — LATE SUMMER — EARLY FALL
Coho salmon — LATE SUMMER — EARLY FALL
Lingcod — DECEMBER — MARCH
Seasonal presence is general guidance and does not indicate current fish activity.
How to Fish Astoria / Columbia River Entrance
No profile-based seasonal technique guidance is listed for October.
Preparing for upcoming seasonal targets
Oregon-side bank alternative
ODFW recreation-report hub names Fort Stevens State Park bank fishing. WDFW Marine Area 1 notes anglers may also launch at Warrenton, Astoria, and other Oregon ports — Oregon-side access.
Best for
Lingcod
Setup
Astoria / Buoy 10 setup
Common Tackle Setups
Astoria / Buoy 10 setup
Boat and bank spinning/conventional tackle for Chinook and coho when Buoy 10 is open. This is the estuary.
Rod
8–10 ft medium spinning rod for jetty, pier, and harbor work.
Reel
Spinning reel with a smooth drag.
Main line
20–40 lb braid.
Leader
Fluorocarbon or mono leader suited to rock, jetty, and surge.
Terminal tackle
Swivels.; Jig heads.; Hardware suited to current Marine Zone rules.
Presentation
Buoy 10 opens and closes on short notice under ESA harvest guidelines. Link current Columbia Zone / Marine Zone rules.; Columbia crabbing is Dungeness per ODFW; sturgeon and Pacific halibut are tagged species and are in this fishery.
Used for
Oregon-side bank alternative
Typical October Lures and Flies
Coming into the seasonal mix
Soft-plastic paddle tail
Lure
Lingcod
Shallow, Midwater, Variable · Steady, twitch, jig
Swim steadily through seams or hop lightly near bottom transitions
Soft-plastic jig head
Lure
Lingcod
Midwater, Bottom, Variable · Jig, slow, drift
Keep intermittent bottom contact around structure and soft edges
Diamond-style jig
Lure
Lingcod
Midwater to variable · Jig, fast, steady
Cast and retrieve with a steady or pulsed cadence through bait schools
General seasonal guidance, not a live recommendation, product endorsement, or guarantee of success.
Access, Safety and Regulations
Access
Boat fishery from Columbia estuary ports including Astoria and Warrenton. Fort Stevens State Park bank fishing is named by ODFW. Distinct from Ilwaco / Cape Disappointment.
Primary hazards
This reach is not the Columbia Bar. Ebb against the shipping channel and Clatsop Spit are named ODFW hazards.
Fishery considerations
This is the Columbia estuary / Astoria waterfront fishing unit.
Estuary wind against an ebb can make the shipping channel and Clatsop Spit dangerous even when Astoria tide looks usable.
Regulations
Size limits, seasons, and possession rules change. Verify the current official regulations before fishing.
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
