Coho Salmon

Key Identifying Characteristics:

• Deep-bodied fish, thin from side to side
• Back is blue or green; sides are silvery; belly is white
• Tail spotted on upper lobe only
• Dark mouth and light grey gums
• Leading ray on anal fin extends 1/2 - 2/3 the length of the fin
• Short, narrow caudal peduncle

Distribution/Habitat:

• In Ontario, Coho salmon spends most of their life in the cold waters of the Great Lakes until they returns to tributary streams to spawn.

Angling Tips:

• Coho salmon are a very popular sporting fish. They are usually caught near the surface and leap repeatedly, changing direction quickly. Coho are smaller than chinook salmon but tend to be more aggressive and likely to bite a wider range of baits and lures.
• Salmon are migratory fish. In the late summer and early fall, salmon are found at the mouth of rivers waiting to move upstream to spawn. Once salmon move upstream in the fall, they generally stop feeding but are aggressive and territorial and will hit the lure out of aggression. Try using rattle baits, spinners and plugs.
• While fishing in the Great Lakes, downrigging and trolling is your best bet. Plugs, spoons and live or dead bait are trolled rather deep for this species, and live, salted or fresh-cut herring are used as bait for still fishing in moderately deep water.

Common Baits:

• Plugs
• Spoons
• Trolling flies
• Live or dead bait

Illustration credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service