Oncorhynchus kisutch

Coho Salmon

Q: What is the best season to catch Coho Salmon?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.

Known as 'Silver Salmon', one of the most acrobatic and feisty Pacific salmons. Found from Oregon to Alaska.

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Size45-75 cm

Weight3-8 kg

Depth0-200 m

Difficulty★★★★★

Lifespan7 years

FamilySalmonidae

Overview

Known as 'Silver Salmon', one of the most acrobatic and feisty Pacific salmons. Found from Oregon to Alaska.

Identification

White throatBlack spots on the backDark finsProminent hooked jaw in spawning males

Body: Sturdy, stocky body, sleeker in ocean specimens.
Colouration: Silvery body with bluish-green back; males turn reddish during spawning season.
Sexual dimorphism: Males exhibit sexual dimorphism, notably during spawning: pronounced hooked jaw and red hue.
Growth: Rapid, reaches adult size in 2-3 years

Taxonomy

Family: Salmonidae
Order: Salmoniformes
Class: Actinopterygii

Related species

Oncorhynchus tshawytschaOncorhynchus gorbuschaOncorhynchus nerkaOncorhynchus masouOncorhynchus keta

Habitat & distribution

Environment: coast, open_sea, estuaries
Preferred bottom: gravel
Geographic distribution: Coho Salmon is widely distributed along the Pacific coast, from Oregon to Alaska, and in some parts of northeastern Asia.
Micro-habitat: Prefers clean, cool freshwater areas for spawning and seeks refuge in gravel and rock crevices.

Nostrils and sensory organs are highly developed to detect currents and return to native rivers.

Presence by sea area

Na Pacifico NwPeak

Na Costa Ovest NordPeak

Na Costa Ovest CentroPeak

As Giappone NordPeak

As OkhotskPeak

Diet

Primary prey: crustaceans, shrimp, amphipods
Secondary prey: small fish, planktonic crustaceans, insect larvae
Occasional prey: algae, jellyfish
Feeding behaviour: The Coho Salmon is an opportunistic predator that feeds on a wide range of prey based on seasonal availability. It actively hunts in coastal waters and open sea.
Natural predators: orca, sea lions, sharks, bears, eagles

Omnivorous tendency in the sea, needing nutrients in freshwater before spawning.

Behaviour

Activity: diurnal
Social behaviour: large_schools
Aggressiveness: medium
Migration: Anadromous migration: migrates up rivers to spawn.
Seasonal behaviour: During spawning season, migrates upriver in freshwater. Lives in open sea the rest of the year.
Juveniles: Juveniles live in gravel beds of rivers, camouflaging to avoid predators.
Adults: In the ocean, they move in schools to hunt more efficiently and protect themselves from predators.

Reproduction

Spawning season: October, November
Spawning depth: between 12 and 40 inches deep in freshwater
Eggs: Round, red, sticky eggs laid in gravel.
Larval stage: Larval stage occurs in freshwater where they develop into fry.
Sexual maturity: 2-3 years

When to catch Coho Salmon

Activity calendar

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

PeakGoodLowInactive

Activity by season

Spring

85%

Summer

95%

Autumn

85%

Winter

60%

Best times

DayDawn, Dusk

Night—

This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.

Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.

Ideal conditions

Water temperature

10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C

Preferred tide: moving

Where to catch it

Best spots

river mouthsestuariesreefssheltered bays

Bottom preference

Sand

80%

Mixed

80%

Rock

70%

Seagrass

70%

Mud

60%

Spot type

Beach

80%

Reef

80%

Harbour

70%

Pier

70%

Cliff

70%

Estuary

70%

Fishing techniques

Recommended

spinningfly fishingtrollingdrift fishing

Other applicable

SpinningTrolling OceanicoDriftingSpinning MedioTraina Costiera

Recommended baits

artificial flieslive baitminnowsspinners

Baits by pressure

Low

Buzz bombCedar plugCucchiaino casting (gold/silver)Hoochie / Octopus rigSpinner / RotanteCucchiaino ondulanteMetal jig leggero (20-40g)

Medium

Aringa interaTrancio/Filetto di aringaSardina vivaTrancio di sardinaGambero vivo

High

Roe bag (sacchetto uova)

Catch & handling tips

Fight: Acrobatic fighter known for spectacular leaps and resilience.
Handling: Handle with wet gloves to avoid damaging scales.
Release: Release quickly in water, keeping the fish wet at all times.

Curiosities & culture

Record catches: The IGFA all-tackle world record for Coho Salmon is 33 lbs, 5 oz, caught in 1989 in the Salmon River, Alaska. Specimens can reach 31 lbs and 42.5 inches in literature.
In the kitchen: Reddish flesh used for grilling and smoking; common in sushi in North America.
Cultural notes: The Coho Salmon is an iconic species in the myths and traditions of the Native Americans along the Pacific coast.
Historical notes: It was an important sustenance element for indigenous populations and remains a major economic resource today.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best season to catch Coho Salmon?

March, april, may, june, july, august, september, october, november. This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.

Which techniques work best for Coho Salmon?

spinning, fly fishing, trolling, drift fishing

What does Coho Salmon feed on?

crustaceans, shrimp, amphipods

At what depth does Coho Salmon live?

0-200 m. Prefers clean, cool freshwater areas for spawning and seeks refuge in gravel and rock crevices.