How to Identify a Coho Salmon

• Chrome silver with a metallic blue-green back
• Black spots on the back and the UPPER lobe of the tail only
• Dark/gray mouth interior but a WHITE gum line at the tooth bases
• 12-15 anal fin rays
• Broad, only slightly forked tail
• Typically smaller and slimmer than a Chinook

Tell it apart: Coho has a WHITE gum line (the legal tell) with tail spots on the upper lobe only; Chinook has a black mouth WITH black gums and spots on both tail lobes; steelhead has a fully white mouth and gums.

Easily confused with: Chinook Salmon, Steelhead

How to Catch Coho Salmon

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• Prime June-September in warming water; troll small spoons and flashers behind downriggers and on planer boards, working surface temperature breaks.GearTrolling spoonsFlasher and flyDownrigger weights
• Best August and September as fish stage in bays — troll spinners and small herring near the surface, or cast spinners to schools rolling on the tide.GearSalmon trolling spinnersHerring bait rigsCasting spoons
• Best July and August — troll fast with green hoochies or herring behind a flasher near the surface, where aggressive coho slash at the bait.GearSalmon hoochie squidsTrolling flashersHerring bait rigs
• Best August-September; cast bright spoons and spinners at river mouths and troll herring in salt water, with aggressive coho hammering flashy hardware.GearCasting spoonsInline spinnersSalmon spinning combo

When & Where Coho Salmon Are in Season

Coho Salmon Regulations

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