Target Species: coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch Wallbaum)
Other Common Names: silver salmon, sea trout, blue back
Identification: In saltwater bright silver with tiny black spots covering the back and on upper lobe of caudal fin only. Gray mouth with gray gums. Spawning adults have dark heads and backs with reddish to maroon sides. A prominent hooked snout with large teeth develops on spawning males.
Biological Info: Spawn from July to late November depending on location. Reach sexual maturity at 3 years of age. Females deposit 2,400-4,500 eggs. Eggs hatch in early spring remaining in gravel redd until May or June. After emerging as fry the juveniles move from streams into river pools, ponds and lakes where they feed on insects until the next spring when they migrate to sea as smolt. Time at sea from 6-18 months before returning to freshwater streams to spawn.
Geographical Range: Native to eastern Pacific coast from Monterey Bay, California, to Point Hope, Alaska. In 1973 introduced into northern rivers of France. Also introduced to Chile, Argentina, and the North American Great Lakes.
Favored Water Temp.: 44ºF-57ºF
Size: Usually reach 24"-30" weighing 8-12 lbs but known to exceed 30 lbs occasionally.
IGFA Record: 33 lbs, 4 oz, Salmon River, Pulaski, New York, 5/11/89
Sporting characteristics: Most acrobatic fighters of the salmon family.
Food & Feeding Habits: Adults feed on squid and fish such as herring.
Fishing methods: Wide range of techniques effective including casting spinners, trolling, back bouncing and mooching depending on conditions and location. Fly fishing is also successful in many areas such as the Kenai River in Alaska.
Top Spots: Seymour Inlet, BC Coast , Late August to early October. Kenai River, Alaska, July-October peaking in early August and early September.
Conservation: Follow local regulations. Keep only what is desired for personal consumption
Also see
Chinook Salmon
Red Salmon
Pink Salmon
Coho Salmon
Chum Salmon
Cherry Salmon
Atlantic Salmon
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