UTERCoho (silver) salmon fishing in Washington freshwater
In Washington freshwater, Coho (silver) salmon peak October–November and are around September–December, spawning in November, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. October: Coho in the Puget Sound rivers and the Columbia tributaries.
Coho in the Puget Sound rivers and the Columbia tributaries.
Coho (silver) salmon in Washington freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JuneNot here
- JulyNot here
- AugustNot here
- SeptemberArriving
- OctoberPeakCoho in the Puget Sound rivers and the Columbia tributaries.
- NovemberSpawningLate coho in the Skagit and the Snoqualmie.
- DecemberLeaving
Where to fish Coho (silver) salmon near Columbia River, Hanford Reach, Lake Chelan
The Columbia's walleye, smallmouth, shad, salmon and sturgeon, Puget Sound steelhead rivers, Lake Chelan's lakers and kokanee, and eastern Washington's lowland lakes.
What to use for Coho (silver) salmon
- HerringCut-plug for salmon: head off at an angle, guts out, two hooks in tandem so it spins slow behind a flasher or a banana weight. Whole and live on a circle hook for stripers where the herring run.
- Anchovies (Pacific)Nose- or collar-hooked on a #4 to 1/0 hook and fly-lined with no weight, or on a dropper loop; a dozen tossed over the side as chum keeps the bass and bonito up.
- Salmon eggs (roe)A dime-sized spawn sac tied in mesh, or single eggs on a #10 to #6 egg hook, drifted along the bottom for steelhead, trout and salmon. Check the state's rule — bait is banned on many trout and salmon waters.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 46–62°F water, best at 50–58°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch Coho (silver) salmon in Washington freshwater?
Peak season is October–November, with fish spawning in November (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Coho (silver) salmon are in Washington freshwater September–December. October: Coho in the Puget Sound rivers and the Columbia tributaries.
Where do Coho (silver) salmon hold in Washington freshwater?
Look on river, creek / stream, lake — around Columbia River, Hanford Reach, Lake Chelan, Skagit River, Banks Lake, Lake Roosevelt.
What is the best bait for Coho (silver) salmon in Washington freshwater?
Live bait: herring, anchovies (pacific), salmon eggs (roe). Herring: Cut-plug for salmon: head off at an angle, guts out, two hooks in tandem so it spins slow behind a flasher or a banana weight. Whole and live on a circle hook for stripers where the herring run. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
What are the rules for Coho (silver) salmon in Washington freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and change — read the current rule at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/fishing.
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