Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch
An acrobatic, bright-silver Pacific salmon that fights hard and is a popular target in rivers, bays, and the Great Lakes.
- Type
- Trout & Salmon
- Water
- Cold water
- Habitat
- Rivers, Lakes, Streams
- Typical size
- 6 to 12 lb
- Range
- Native to the Pacific coast from California to Alaska and across the North Pacific, and stocked in the Great Lakes.
- Best seasons
- Fall runs in rivers; summer and fall in the Great Lakes
How to identify it
- Small black spots cover the back but appear only on the upper lobe of the tail fin.
- The gums are white, and the mouth lining is dark.
- The body is bright silver with a dark blue back.
- The tail is slightly forked and fairly narrow at the base.
Often confused with
- Chinook Salmon: spots on both tail lobes, black gums, and usually a larger size.
Best baits and lures
- Spoons
- Spinners
- Flies
- Roe
- Plugs
Techniques
- Cast spinners and spoons in river runs and pools
- Troll spoons and flies over open water
- Float roe through holding water in fall
- Fly fish with streamers where legal
Fishing notes
Coho, also called silver salmon, are known for aggressive strikes and spectacular jumps. They often hold in shallower, calmer water than chinook and will hit bright spoons and flashy flies.
In the Great Lakes, stocked coho are popular with trollers during the open-water season and move into tributaries in fall.
As with all salmon, rules are strict and vary by water, season, and whether fish are wild or hatchery-marked. Check the regulations before you fish.
Related guides
Size limits, bag limits, legal baits, and seasons vary by state and waterbody and change over time. Check your state's current regulations — our state resources directory links straight to each state's official fishing rules and license portal.