Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch
A hard-fighting Pacific salmon prized for its acrobatic runs, the coho (silver) salmon returns to B.C.'s coastal and interior rivers in fall, its chrome flanks flushing to deep red at spawning. Non-tidal coho fisheries open only during announced DFO windows and require a Salmon Conservation Stamp to retain fish.
Coastal and interior rivers during fall spawning runs; juveniles rear in streams for a year before going to sea.
Coho Salmon Habitat & Size
Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) is associated with river water in the species record. Habitat information describes the species, not permission to fish for it. The recorded average size is approximately 24 inches; individual sizes vary.
Recorded Waters for Coho Salmon
FishFinder links Coho Salmon to water records in Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, Wisconsin, and Yukon. These associations may reflect documented presence, seasonal runs, or historical stocking, not angler catch reports or current abundance. Read the linked water guides and source notes for evidence dates and reaches.
Coho Salmon Fishing Regulations & Limits
A recorded association does not establish that targeting or retaining Coho Salmon is permitted. Confirm current species protections, seasonal and emergency closures, reach-specific rules, gear restrictions, bag and size limits with the responsible fisheries authority before fishing. A fishing license does not override these restrictions. FishFinder's regulation records may be incomplete; missing rules do not mean unrestricted fishing.
Related Water Guides for Coho Salmon
Explore these FishFinder water guides for places where Coho Salmon is recorded:
- Lake Erie — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Columbia River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Fraser River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Cowichan River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Campbell River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Chilliwack (Vedder) River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Squamish River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Dean River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Skeena River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Bulkley River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Kispiox River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Klukshu River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Tatshenshini River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Yukon River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Klondike River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Takhini River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Tatchun River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Kenai River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Russian River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Kasilof River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Anchor River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Deep Creek — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Situk River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Thorne River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Naknek River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Kvichak River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Nushagak River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Alagnak River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Tanana River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Delta Clearwater River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Yukon River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Lake Cascade — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Lake Michigan (Illinois Waters) — recorded Coho Salmon association
- St. Joseph River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Lake Michigan (Indiana Waters) — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Pere Marquette River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Lake Superior (Minnesota) — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Lake Ontario (New York) — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Salmon River (New York) — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Siltcoos Lake — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Willamette River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Clackamas River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Sandy River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Rogue River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- North Umpqua River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Umpqua River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Deschutes River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Grande Ronde River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Umatilla River — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Walnut Creek — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Lake Sammamish — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Mayfield Lake — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Riffe Lake — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Green Bay — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Lake Michigan (Wisconsin Waters) — recorded Coho Salmon association
- Lake Superior (Wisconsin Waters) — recorded Coho Salmon association
Equipment planning for Coho Salmon
We have not selected a species-specific affiliate setup for this guide. First establish whether targeting is permitted at your destination; no tackle recommendation should be inferred from a species record.
Equipment guidance is not permission to fish. Confirm the exact water, date, species, method and current official rules first. A closed season prohibits targeting, even with release. Recorded fish presence does not establish an open fishery.
- Check permitted methods, bait and hook restrictions before choosing tackle. Match rod, line and lure ratings to the lawful method and conditions, rather than buying by species name alone.
- Plan weather protection, drinking water and a way to call for help. For boat trips, confirm required flotation and safety equipment with the responsible boating authority.
- Read the habitat and water-specific source notes in this guide, then confirm an appropriate lawful method with the local fisheries authority before choosing equipment. Do not assume a general freshwater combo suits every species or water.
This is an editorial planning checklist, not hands-on product testing. Use equipment you already own when suitable. The gear directory contains affiliate links; any product suggestions below have their own disclosure. Retailer region, availability and Canadian shipping are not guaranteed.
Browse the gear directory · Find official fishing-rule sources · Affiliate disclosure
Coho Salmon Regulations
Review available regulation records and confirm whether fishing for Coho Salmon is permitted with the responsible fisheries authority:
Frequently Asked Questions
What water types are associated with Coho Salmon?
The species record associates Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) with river water. Habitat information is not evidence of current abundance or permission to target the species.
How big does Coho Salmon get?
The recorded average size for Coho Salmon is approximately 24 inches. Individual sizes vary; this average is not a maximum size or a legal retention limit.
Where does FishFinder record water associations for Coho Salmon?
FishFinder links Coho Salmon to water records in Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, Wisconsin, and Yukon. These associations may reflect documented presence, seasonal runs, or historical stocking, not angler catch reports. Check the linked water guides and source notes for evidence dates and reaches; a listing does not guarantee current presence or legal fishing opportunity.
Does a listing or fishing license permit fishing for Coho Salmon?
No. A listing records an association, not permission to target or retain Coho Salmon. License requirements and exemptions vary. Confirm current species protections, seasonal and emergency closures, reach-specific rules, gear restrictions, bag and size limits with the responsible fisheries authority. A license does not override restrictions, and missing FishFinder regulation records do not mean unrestricted fishing.