Pacific halibut fishing out of Astoria-Warrenton starts at the Columbia River mouth and runs inside one management area. This guide covers when the fish are around, where boats run, the named structure and its depths, how halibut are fished locally, and who runs trips from this port. It won’t promise fish, but it should help you decide where to look. The same fishery along the rest of the coast is in the Pacific Northwest offshore fishing guide.
When halibut are off Astoria-Warrenton
Lance Fisher says his boat, Legion’s Mercy, chases halibut in May and June, so that is the window to plan around.
For biology and the coastwide picture, use the Pacific halibut species guide. This page stays with the port.
Where boats run from the Columbia mouth
The Columbia River subarea runs from Leadbetter Point, WA, to Cape Falcon, OR, so you can fish both sides of the river mouth. Boats leave from the river and cross the entrance to reach deep water. For launches, marinas and where to read bar conditions, use the Astoria-Warrenton port page.
Leaving the West Basin
Garibaldi Charters runs its Astoria halibut trips from the Astoria West Basin and fishes deep water with electric reels.
The entrance and the buoy line
Outbound, you pass a short chain of landmarks:
- The South Jetty, at the river mouth where the Columbia meets the Pacific
- The Columbia River entrance buoy (CR)
- The red buoy line: #2SJ (the old submerged jetty), #4 and #6
- Peacock Spit
Treat these as waypoints on the way out.
Grounds and structure
Each depth below belongs to the named point beside it. The in-river structure is a set of landmarks, and the ocean side is deep water.
| Name | Type | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| North and South Jetties | Jetties | 20 ft |
| Desdemona Sands | In-river bank | 30 ft |
| Columbia River entrance buoy (CR) and red buoy line | Buoy line | 200 ft |
| Peacock Spit | Entrance structure | |
| Astoria Canyon | Offshore canyon | |
| Tillamook Head | Named ground to the south | |
| Haystack Rock (Cannon Beach) | Named ground to the south |
You can plot this named structure on Chart Contours. Chart layers are not for navigation.
South Jetty and the North and South Jetties
The South Jetty sits at the river mouth, where the Columbia meets the Pacific. The North and South Jetties sit at 20 ft.
CR buoy and the red buoy line
The Columbia River entrance buoy (CR) anchors the red buoy line: #4, #6 and #2SJ, the old submerged jetty. Depth along the line is 200 ft.
Peacock Spit
Peacock Spit is named structure at the entrance.
Astoria Canyon
Astoria Canyon is the named canyon offshore.
Tillamook Head
Tillamook Head is a named ground to the south.
Haystack Rock (Cannon Beach)
Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach is a named ground to the south.
Desdemona Sands
Desdemona Sands sits inside the river at 30 ft and is in-river structure.
How halibut are fished here
Garibaldi Charters fishes Astoria halibut in deep water with electric reels, from a 27 ft boat with a maximum of 6 anglers. Marvin’s Alumaweld is also a 27 ft boat.
ODFW requires a descending device onboard, and it should be rigged before the first drop. For electric reel setups and deep-water rigging, see our deep-drop rigging guide.
Gear that matches this fishery:
- Electric reels for deep water
- A descending device, rigged and within reach
- A boat sized like the 27 ft hulls that run these trips
Who fishes halibut from this port
These operators list Pacific halibut from this port.
Lance Fisher Fishing
Lance Fisher has guided since 2001. He fishes halibut in May and June on Legion’s Mercy. See Lance Fisher Fishing’s Astoria page.
Black Dogg Guide Service
Captain Gordy Webster runs Black Dogg Guide Service and is USCG licensed.
Marvin’s Guide Service
Marvin runs a 27 ft covered, heated Alumaweld Intruder. See Marvin’s Guide Service halibut page.
Garibaldi Charters (Astoria trips)
Captain Chad runs a 27 ft Custom Wooldridge with an enclosed cabin. It carries a maximum of 6 anglers and departs the Astoria West Basin. See Garibaldi Charters’ Astoria halibut trips.
FAQ: Pacific halibut fishing out of Astoria-Warrenton
When are halibut fished here?
Lance Fisher says Legion’s Mercy chases halibut in May and June.
Where do boats leave from?
Garibaldi Charters runs Astoria halibut trips from the Astoria West Basin. Boats run inside the Columbia River subarea, from Leadbetter Point, WA, to Cape Falcon, OR.
What gear do locals use?
Electric reels in deep water. Garibaldi Charters fishes this way from a 27 ft boat. Keep a descending device onboard.
Do I need a descending device?
Yes. ODFW requires one onboard. Check ODFW before fishing.
Where can I land halibut?
Only in ports within areas open to halibut retention.
