Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch
Coho, or silver salmon, hit flies hard, jump often and are one of the best salmon for fly anglers, especially in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
- 8States
- 32River guides
- Late summer–fallBest time
Where to find coho salmon
Darker states have more coho salmon river guides. Tap a state to see its rivers.
Most coho salmon rivers
- Washington14 rivers
- Michigan9 rivers
- New York3 rivers
- California2 rivers
- Idaho1 river
- Minnesota1 river
- Oregon1 river
- Wisconsin1 river
Top rivers for coho salmon
The best-known coho salmon water in our river guides.
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- Gold Medal
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- Gold Medal
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Big Sable River
- Gold Medal
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- Gold Medal
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- Gold Medal
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- Gold Medal
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Two Hearted River
- Gold Medal
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- Gold Medal
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Boyne River
- Gold Medal
Fly fishing for coho salmon
Coho salmon, also called silver salmon, are Pacific salmon that live in rivers from California to Alaska. Like other salmon, they hatch in fresh water, grow in the ocean and return to their home river to spawn and die. Most adults weigh 6 to 12 pounds.
Alaska has some of the best coho fly fishing anywhere, with big runs in late summer. Washington and Oregon coastal rivers and Puget Sound also have coho, and coho were stocked in the Great Lakes, where they run into tributaries in fall.
Fly anglers love coho because they chase stripped flies, often hit near the surface and fight with long runs and jumps. Some Pacific coho runs are protected or closely managed, so check seasons before you go.
How to identify coho salmon
Coho have small black spots on the back and only on the upper lobe of the tail, and white gums at the base of the teeth. Chinook have black gums and spots on both tail lobes.
How to catch coho salmon
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Fish slow water
Coho rest in slow pools, sloughs and backwaters, not in fast current. Look for them there.
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Strip the fly
Coho respond to fast, erratic strips. Change speeds until you find what works.
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Try a popper
In Alaska and some coastal rivers, coho will chase a pink popper on the surface. It is one of the most exciting ways to catch them.
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Use pink and chartreuse
Bright pink, chartreuse and purple flies are proven coho colors in most rivers.
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Bring an 8-weight
A 7- or 8-weight rod with a floating line and a sink-tip handles most coho fishing.
Find coho salmon water near you.
- Fishability score for every river near you, updated live
- Live flows and water temps for the rivers you fish
- Hatch timing for your watershed
Coho salmon FAQ
What flies work for coho salmon?
Pink and chartreuse Clouser Minnows, flashy baitfish patterns, egg-sucking leeches and pink poppers all work well.
What weight rod for silver salmon?
A 7- or 8-weight rod is ideal for most coho fishing.
When do coho salmon run?
In Alaska, mostly late July through September. In the Pacific Northwest and Great Lakes, coho usually run in fall.
Will coho take a dry fly or popper?
Yes. Coho often chase surface flies, and pink poppers are a well-known coho pattern.
Are coho the same as silver salmon?
Yes. Coho and silver salmon are two names for the same fish.
Can I keep coho salmon?
Some runs are open to harvest and others are catch-and-release or closed. Check state regulations for the river you fish.
