Oregon · Northern Oregon Coast
COHO SALMON FISHING
IN ASTORIA
Astoria is a solid destination for coho salmon fishing, with peak season in September and good catches in August, October. Book a charter and target coho salmon with local experts.
About Coho Salmon Fishing in Astoria
Silver salmon are legendary fighters known for explosive surface strikes and aerial acrobatics. Coho run from midsummer through fall along the entire Pacific coast, from California's Smith River to Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. Bright chrome ocean fish are prized for both sport and table quality.
Coho Salmon — also called Silver Salmon — are prized for their aggressive surface strikes and spectacular aerial acrobatics. Averaging 8-12 pounds, they are smaller than kings but pound-for-pound are considered harder fighters. Ocean-phase coho are brilliant chrome-silver with small black spots confined to the upper lobe of the tail and the back above the lateral line. Spawning males turn deep red on the sides with a dark green head and develop a dramatic hooked jaw. Females become darker but retain more of their shape.
Scientific name: Oncorhynchus kisutch
Coho Salmon Seasonal Calendar — Astoria
Month-by-month availability for coho salmon in Astoria, OR.
How to Catch Coho Salmon in Astoria
Techniques & Bait
Ocean trolling with herring, hoochies (plastic squid lures), or spoons behind flashers at 15-60 feet is the primary technique. Coho often feed higher in the water column than kings, so shallower presentations work well. Casting buzz bombs, Crippled Herring spoons, and spinners into surface-feeding schools produces explosive strikes. In rivers, casting spinners (Blue Fox, Panther Martin), drifting roe under a float, or swinging flies on a sink-tip line are all effective. Coho are aggressive and respond well to fast-moving presentations.
Recommended Tackle
Ocean: 7-8'6" medium rod, level-wind or spinning reel, 15-20 lb mono or 30 lb braid. River: 8'6"-9'6" medium rod, spinning reel, 10-15 lb line, 8-12 lb fluorocarbon leader. Fly: 7-8 weight rod, sink-tip line, bright patterns (Clouser, Bunny Leech, Egg-Sucking Leech).
Best Nearshore Fishing Spots in Astoria
Top spots where local captains target coho salmon and other nearshore species.
Columbia River South Jetty
The Columbia River South Jetty extends miles into the Pacific, creating nearshore structure where lingcod, rockfish, surfperch, and greenling hold along the submerged rock. The jetty's tip puts anglers near the bar's turbulent waters where ocean-going salmon and bottomfish congregate.
Clatsop Spit
Clatsop Spit at the south side of the Columbia River mouth offers surf-fishing for redtail surfperch, striped bass, and flatfish from a sandy beach where river and ocean currents converge. The spit's gradual slope and sand bar system create productive surf zone habitat.
Tillamook Head Reefs
The rocky reefs off Tillamook Head south of Astoria hold lingcod, cabezon, black rockfish, and blue rockfish in kelp-covered nearshore structure. The headland's exposed position catches nutrient-rich upwelling that supports productive reef ecosystems within a few miles of shore.
Seaside Reef
The nearshore reef structure off Seaside south of Astoria holds rockfish, lingcod, and greenling in rocky bottom from 30 to 80 feet deep. Small boats from Astoria and Seaside access the reef for quality bottom-fishing on calm ocean days.
Other Species in Astoria
More fish you can target while visiting Astoria.
Coho Salmon Fishing in Astoria — FAQ
The peak months for Coho Salmon fishing in Astoria are September. During these months, Coho Salmon are most active and abundant in the Astoria area.
Coho Salmon fishing charters in Astoria are typically nearshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Ocean trolling with herring, hoochies (plastic squid lures), or spoons behind flashers at 15-60 feet is the primary technique. Coho often feed higher in the water column than kings, so shallower presentations work well. Casting buzz bombs, Crippled Herring spoons, and spinners into surface-feeding schools produces explosive strikes. In rivers, casting spinners (Blue Fox, Panther Martin), drifting roe under a float, or swinging flies on a sink-tip line are all effective. Coho are aggressive and respond well to fast-moving presentations.
No — when you book a charter in Astoria, your captain provides all required Oregon fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Coho Salmon regulations in Oregon include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Coho Salmon in Astoria, you may also catch Rockfish, Chinook Salmon, Lingcod, Dungeness Crab, Pacific Halibut. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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