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The Coho Salmon

Coho Salmon, often called silver salmon, links cool freshwater nursery streams with the North Pacific food web. Young fish spend an extended period in fresh water before the ocean growth that produces returning adults.

Coho Salmon fishing guide

Identification

Ocean fish are bright silver with darker backs. Black spots occur on the back and upper lobe of the tail, while the lower lobe is generally unspotted. The lower gum area is pale, a useful comparison with Chinook. Spawning fish darken and develop strong reddish and greenish tones.

Food and Growth

Juveniles eat plankton and insects in fresh water. At sea, small fishes such as herring, sandlance, anchovies and sardines become important prey. The typical adult sizes are substantially below the reference maximums, and neither maximum is presented as a current certified angling record.

Return to Streams

Adults return to freshwater spawning areas, commonly in fall or early winter. Females excavate gravel nests called redds, and all adults die after spawning. Their remains return nutrients to the stream, while the next generation develops within the gravel before emerging.

Check the Lower Tail Lobe

The distribution of tail spots is a useful coho clue. Combine it with the mouth and gum features, especially when comparing a silver fish with Chinook Salmon.

All Lakes With Coho Salmon

Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Coho Salmon records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.

Showing 1–24 of 585 lakes · Page 1 of 25

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