Columbia River
Salmon Fishing
From the North,
Oregon Salmon Fishing begins on the Columbia
River Estuary.
“Buoy 10” is the
name given to the most popular Salmon fishery in
the Columbia Estuary. The Buoy 10 Salmon fishery
traditionally opens in early August and extends
through Labor Day. During this salmon fishery
large numbers of Charter Boats, Guides and
private boats will be fishing for Chinook or
King Salmon as well as hatchery produced Coho or
Silver Salmon.
Nehalem Bay
Nehalem River Salmon Fishing
Nehalem Bay is the
fourth largest on the Oregon Coast. In early
summer Chinook Salmon appear at the Nehalem
Bar, salmon enter as early as August and
move up river with early fall rains. The
Nehalem is the third longest river on the
Oregon Coast at 100 miles in length. A large
stream with heavy fishing pressure that is
easily accessible.
Most salmon
fishing success is found in the Nehalem Bay
Tillamook
Bay area Salmon Fishing
One of the
Oregon Coast largest Fall Chinook Salmon
Fishing areas with some Spring Chinook
fishing opportunities also. Tillamook
Bay is the second largest estuary on the
Oregon Coast. Large numbers of Fall
Chinook or Kings are caught in the Bay
of the rivers that flow into the bay
every year.
Miami
River 14 miles long enters Tillamook
Bay just east of Garibaldi, a good
Oregon Coast Salmon fishing river
with fair Fall Chinook fishing and
along with the Kilchis River having
the largest runs of Chum Salmon in
Oregon.
Kilchis River about 20
miles long is one of the first
rivers to clear after a storm. Best
Fall Chinook fishing is in November.
Wilson River is consistently one of the top
10 producers of salmon and steelhead
on the Oregon Coast. Spring Chinook
generally enter the Wilson River in
April with the run peaking in June & July. The much larger Fall Chinook
or King run begins in October and
peaks in November.
Trask
River is a very good salmon and
steelhead stream entering Tillamook
Bay at Tillamook just south of the
Wilson River. There is a major Fall
Chinook run on the Trask as well as
Spring Chinook in April through
June.
Nestucca Bay
and Nestucca River
Located just 20 miles south of Tillamook the
Nestucca Bay is primarily a Fall Chinook
fishery. Fall Chinook are present in August and
September.
The Nestucca River is a gem, 55 mile long easily
accessible. A nice run of Spring Chinook Salmon
starts in late May with the peak in June and
July. The bigger Fall Chinook and Coho runs
begin in late August. The Salmon remain in
tidewater until fall rains and are in the upper
river in October.
Siletz River
and Bay
The Siletz River is about 70 miles long and has
good Fall Chinook Fishing. Salmon start moving
through the bay in late July or August with
salmon fishing until late fall.
Alsea River
and Bay
Located just south of Lincoln City at Waldport,
the Alsea Bay has a good run of Fall Chinook in
September and October.
