Coho Salmon Fishing in Washington: The Complete Guide to Catching Silvers

If you had to pick one salmon species to introduce someone to Pacific Northwest fishing, coho would be the answer. They're found nearly everywhere salmon swim in Washington — open ocean, Puget Sound marine areas, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and dozens of rivers from the coast to the Cascades. They're aggressive biters, strong fighters for their size, and among the finest eating fish in the state. This guide covers everything you need to consistently catch coho in Washington.

What Are Coho Salmon?

Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), also called silvers, are a medium-sized Pacific salmon typically ranging from 6 to 15 pounds in Washington waters, with larger fish exceeding 20 pounds in some systems. They're identified by small black spots on the upper body and tail, white gums (chinook have black gums), and males develop a hooked jaw and reddish coloring as they near spawning.

Coho spend roughly 18 months in freshwater as juveniles before heading to sea, where they spend another 18 months before returning to spawn. Most Washington coho that return to rivers are 3-year-old fish with a predictable fall timing.

When Do Coho Return?

Ocean and coastal areas: Coho appear off the Washington coast as early as July, with peak ocean fishing in August and September.

Puget Sound: Marine coho fishing builds through August and peaks in September and October, varying by marine area and annual run strength.

Rivers: Most Washington rivers see coho entering from late September through November. The Skykomish, Snohomish, Skagit, Stillaguamish, and dozens of coastal rivers all receive meaningful coho returns.

Coho in Puget Sound

Puget Sound coho fishing peaks from late August through October. Coho school near the surface, often right on top of bait schools, and can be visible as surface activity — jumping, rolling, and crashing bait.

Where to Find Them

Coho in Puget Sound relate strongly to bait. Find concentrations of herring, sand lance, or anchovies on your fish finder and coho are likely nearby. Surface birds diving on baitfish are a reliable visual indicator.

Key structural areas include points, underwater ridges, tide rips, and current lines where bait concentrates. Marine Areas 9, 10, and 11 (central Puget Sound) consistently produce coho, as do the passages of Marine Areas 7, 8-2, and 13.

Trolling for Coho

Trolling is the most productive method for Puget Sound coho. Most fish are caught in the top 30 feet of the water column.

Setup: A medium-weight rod in the 8-9 foot range with a level-wind reel spooled with 20-30 lb monofilament or braid. A small 11" chrome or green flasher ahead of a hoochie, small plug, or cut herring is the classic Puget Sound coho rig.

Speed: Troll faster for coho than for chinook — 2.5 to 3.5 mph is typical. Coho are aggressive predators and faster presentations often trigger more strikes.

Colors: Chartreuse, pink, and white hoochies are reliable coho producers. Glow-in-the-dark finishes perform well in low-light or overcast conditions.

Depth: Start at 15-25 feet and adjust based on where you're marking bait and fish on your sonar.

Casting and Jigging for Coho

When coho are schooling near the surface, casting lures or jigs into the boil produces explosive strikes. A medium spinning rod with 15-20 lb braid, a short fluorocarbon leader, and a 3/4 to 1.5 oz metal jig worked through a school of surface-feeding coho is pure excitement.

Retrieve quickly — coho react to fast-moving presentations. Let the jig sink 10-20 feet, then rip it upward with aggressive rod strokes.

Coho Fishing on the Washington Coast

Ocean coho fishing from ports like Westport, Ilwaco, La Push, and Neah Bay runs from July through September. Charter boats and private vessels targeting coho typically troll at 2-3 mph with flasher and hoochie or plug rigs in the top 40 feet of water.

The nearshore zone — typically within a few miles of the beach — holds strong coho concentrations in peak season as fish begin their coastal migration. Trolling parallel to the beach or working the edges of kelp beds can be productive.

River Fishing for Coho

Reading the River

Once coho enter freshwater, they're focused on spawning migration rather than feeding — but they still strike aggressively at lures and bait, especially fresh, chrome fish just entering the river.

In rivers, coho hold in the deep, slow water of pools during daylight and move through runs and riffles during low-light periods. The best fishing is typically early morning and evening. Look for fish in the 4-8 foot depth range where current velocity is moderate.

Drift Fishing

Drift fishing with cured eggs or yarn under a float is the most versatile river technique. Rig a 3/4 oz pencil lead on a dropper, a barrel swivel, and 24 inches of 10-12 lb fluorocarbon to a size 2 hook with a cured egg cluster or pink or chartreuse yarn ball.

Work the presentation through the lower half of pools and tailouts. Cast upstream, maintain contact with the bottom, and watch your line tip or float for any hesitation.

Spinner and Spoon Fishing

Aggressive coho — especially fresh fish just in from the ocean — respond extremely well to spinners and small spoons. A 1/2 oz Mepps or Blue Fox spinner in chrome or pink worked across and downstream through a holding run produces strikes on fish that might ignore static presentations.

Fly Fishing

An 8 or 9 weight rod with bright intruder-style or egg-sucking leech patterns on a floating or intermediate line works beautifully for river coho. Swinging flies through tailouts and slots on Puget Sound tributary rivers during October and November can be exceptional when runs are fresh.

Handling and Keeping Coho

Coho intended for the table should be bled immediately at capture by cutting the gill arch — this dramatically improves meat quality. Put bled fish directly on ice. Clean coho as soon as practical and keep fillets cold throughout the process.

How to Cook Coho

Coho has rich, orange-red flesh with moderate fat content — richer than pink salmon but somewhat leaner than chinook. It's versatile in the kitchen.

Grilled: Season fillets with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Grill skin-side down over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes, flip briefly. The skin protects the flesh and peels away cleanly.

Pan-seared with butter: High heat, skin-side down first, baste with butter and thyme as it cooks.

Smoked: Coho takes smoke beautifully. Brine overnight in a salt/brown sugar solution, let dry to form a pellicle, then smoke over alder.

Coho tacos: Flaked, seasoned coho in corn tortillas with cabbage slaw, avocado, and lime is one of the best uses of a fresh silver.

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Always verify current season dates, area-specific rules, and hatchery/wild retention rules at WDFW's salmon regulations page before fishing.