- BGG rating
- 7.3
Salmon Run: Fishermen Expansion
- 2–5 players
- Complexity 1.0/5
- 2013
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,145
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Salmon Run
2013
Rules assistance for Salmon Run
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 20–45 min
- 10+
- Complexity 1.8/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Salmon Run
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Salmon Run is a board game released in 2013 for 2–4 players, 20–45 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Jesse Catron and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Race, and Grid Movement.
Expansions
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Salmon Run: The 5th Player Expansion
- 2–5 players
- 20 min
- 2013
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Salmon Run: The Bald Eagle
- 2–4 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2013
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Salmon Run: The Fisherman Board
- 2–4 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2013
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Salmon Run: The Fork/Cataract Falls Board
- 2–4 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2013
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Salmon Run: The Grizzly Bear
- 2–4 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2013
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About the game
Every year, thousands of salmon are compelled to leave the ocean and return to the river of their birth. This perilous journey can span hundreds of miles and is fraught with danger. Strong rapids, waterfalls, hungry bears, and eagles all await the salmon on their quest to spawn. Only the most fit will complete the salmon run! Salmon Run is a fast-paced racing game in which you'll maneuver your salmon upriver, avoiding obstacles and jumping over waterfalls. Behold the immense power of the river's currents! Avoid ferocious bears! Beware of stealthy eagles, waiting to snatch victory from your hand! Most of all, pace yourself to avoid debilitating fatigue. Salmon Run features: Deck-building: The path you choose upriver will determine which cards you may add to your swimming deck. Enhance your swimming ability by gaining powerful swim cards! Player Interaction: Acquire cards to unleash hungry bears and eagles on your opponent's salmon! Unlock the power of the river's raging rapids and strong currents! Fatigue: Overexertion leads to the build-up of fatigue which will slow you down! Modular boards: Experience a new river each game! The river's difficulty and length can be customized to your liking!
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Eagle-Gryphon Games
Questions and answers
Salmon Run supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Salmon Run is 20–45 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Salmon Run for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Salmon Run has a complexity rating of 1.8 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Salmon Run belongs to these categories: Animals. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Race, and Grid Movement. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Salmon Run are: Jesse Catron. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Salmon Run as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.