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Coho Salmon

Oncorhynchus kisutch

Coho Salmon
Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

A hard-fighting Pacific salmon found in the Great Lakes and along the Pacific coast, coho provide excellent spring trolling and exciting fall runs up tributary rivers. Known as silver salmon for their brilliant chrome coloring, they are acrobatic fighters that frequently go airborne when hooked.

Seasonal Activity

Jan
Slow
Feb
Slow
Mar
Good
Apr
Prime
May
Prime
Jun
Good
Jul
Good
Aug
Good
Sep
Prime
Oct
Prime
Nov
Slow
Dec
Slow

Best Techniques

Top Baits

Fishing Regulations

Season dates and limits for Coho Salmon, by state. This list may not cover every state yet — always confirm current rules with your state's wildlife agency before you fish.

Alaska 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 3/day, 6 possession

Coho (silver) salmon limits vary by area. General limit 3 per day, 6 in possession. Peak runs July-September.

Effective 2025 · Source: adfg.alaska.gov

Michigan 1 zone
Great Lakes
Season: Open all year
Limit: 5/day · Size: min 10"

Combined 5 salmon/trout daily limit in Great Lakes.

Effective 2026 · Source: michigan.gov

Oregon 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 2/day, 4 possession · Size: min 20"

Hatchery coho only (adipose fin clipped). Wild coho must be released. Seasons vary by river.

Effective 2025 · Source: myodfw.com

Washington 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 4/day, 8 possession · Size: min 12"

Hatchery coho only on most rivers. Seasons vary by watershed.

Effective 2025 · Source: wdfw.wa.gov

State Records

Official rod & reel records by state. Log your catch to see how you compare.

State Weight Length Angler Year Water
NY 33.44 lb Stephen Sheets Jr. 1998 Lake Ontario
MI 30.56 lb 40 in 1976 Platte River
WI 26.08 lb John Gregory 1999 Lake Michigan
OH 13.63 lb Barney Freeman 1982 Huron River
MN 12.31 lb Lake Superior

Caught a Coho Salmon?

Log your catch and see how it stacks up against state records.

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