Salmon Fishing the Siuslaw River: Techniques for Florence's Fall Run

A Quieter Alternative with Big Fish

While the north coast rivers get most of the attention for fall salmon, the Siuslaw River running through Florence produces outstanding runs of Chinook and coho salmon every autumn. The Siuslaw's moderate size, good bank access, and comparatively light angling pressure make it an ideal destination for anglers who want quality fishing without fighting crowds at every hole.

Understanding the Siuslaw Salmon Runs

Fall Chinook (September through November)

Siuslaw fall Chinook average 15 to 25 pounds, with occasional fish exceeding 30. The run begins building in early September in the tidal section near Florence, with fish pushing upstream through October and into November. Chinook hold in the deeper holes and channel bends of the tidal zone before making their final push to spawning tributaries. The peak of the tidal fishery is typically mid-September through mid-October, when the highest concentration of fresh fish are holding in accessible water.

Coho Salmon (October through December)

Coho arrive slightly later than Chinook, with the main push occurring from October through December. Siuslaw coho average 8 to 14 pounds and are known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. These fish often hold in shallower, slower water than Chinook, making them more accessible to bank anglers and easier to target with lighter tackle. The late-season timing means coho fishing can extend well past Thanksgiving in good years.

Top Techniques for Siuslaw Salmon

Bobber and Eggs (Tidewater)

The most popular and effective technique for bank anglers on the tidal Siuslaw is fishing cured salmon or steelhead eggs under a bobber (float). Rig a 7- to 9-foot medium-heavy rod with a sliding float, a 1/2 to 1-ounce weight below the float stop, and 15 to 20-pound fluorocarbon leader to a size 1/0 to 3/0 hook loaded with a golf-ball-sized cluster of cured roe. Set the float depth to keep the eggs 1 to 3 feet off the bottom and let the current sweep your presentation through holding water.

Trolling Plugs (Boat)

Drift boat and sled anglers working the Siuslaw troll diving plugs like Kwikfish and FlatFish wrapped with a sardine or herring fillet. The plug's wide wobble combined with the scent of the bait wrap creates an irresistible presentation for salmon holding in the deeper tidal pools. Run plugs behind the boat at slow speed (1 to 2 mph) with enough line out to reach the bottom of the pool. Sizes K14 to K16 in metallic red, chartreuse, or fire tiger are standard colors.

Back-Trolling Herring

Another effective boat technique is back-trolling whole or plug-cut herring through holding water. The boat maintains position in the current using the motor or oars while the herring presentation works downstream in a slow spiral. This method excels in the deeper tidal holes where salmon are stacked up waiting for conditions to move upstream.

Spinner Fishing

Casting spinners is an excellent active technique for covering water and finding aggressive fish. Blue Fox and Mepps spinners in sizes 4 to 6, in chrome, chartreuse, or flame finishes, cast across and downstream and retrieved just fast enough to turn the blade. This technique works well from the bank at river access points where current seams and tailouts concentrate migrating fish.

Tackle Recommendations

Key Fishing Spots on the Siuslaw

Several well-known access points along the Siuslaw produce consistent salmon catches during the fall run:

• North and South Jetties: Fresh salmon entering the river are intercepted near the jetties on incoming tides
• Old Town Florence: The waterfront area provides bank access to the tidal section where salmon hold in the main channel
• Cushman area: Upstream of Florence, the Cushman access provides bank fishing at a series of productive bends and pools
• Tiernan area: The Tiernan boat ramp is a popular launch point for drift boats working the middle tidal section
• Mapleton: The upper tidal boundary near Mapleton offers bank and boat access to fish staging before their upstream push

"The Siuslaw doesn't get the press that the Wilson or Nestucca rivers get, but our fall Chinook run is every bit as good. I've guided this river for twelve years, and we consistently put clients on 20-plus-pound kings through October. The lack of crowds is just a bonus." — Florence fishing guide

Reading Tidewater for Salmon

Tidal influence on the lower Siuslaw extends approximately 15 miles upstream from the river mouth. Salmon use the tidal cycle to their advantage, moving upstream on incoming tides and resting in deeper holes during slack and outgoing tides. The most productive fishing generally occurs during the last two hours of the incoming tide and the first hour of the outgoing, when fish are active and moving. Focus your efforts on the transition zones where fast current meets slack water — these are the natural resting spots for migrating salmon.

Regulations for Siuslaw Salmon

The Siuslaw has specific ODFW regulations for salmon that can differ from other coastal rivers. Key points include bag limits (typically 2 adult salmon or steelhead per day with hatchery fin-clip requirements for some species), bait and gear restrictions that may vary by river section, and seasonal closures on certain tributaries to protect spawning fish. Wild coho must be released in most years. Always check the current ODFW Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for Siuslaw-specific rules before fishing.