Skip to main content

Coho Salmon

Coho Salmon

Coho salmon are a medium to large Pacific salmon species that once thrived throughout California's coastal watersheds. California's coho populations have declined dramatically since the mid-20th century, with populations now less than 6% of 1940s levels.

Scientific Name: Oncorhynchus kisutch

Also known as silver salmon

Physical Characteristics:
  • Adults typically measure 55-70 cm in fork length and weigh 3-6 kg, with spawning males displaying characteristic dark red sides, dark green heads and backs, and hooked jaws.
  • They can be distinguished from other salmon by their white gums at the base of the teeth and small black spots on the dorsal and upper tail fins, but no spots on the lower tail lobe.
  • Juveniles have 8-12 narrow, widely spaced parr marks and large, sickle-shaped anal fins with white leading edges.
  • At Lake Oroville, these lake coho typically live 2 years, averaging 18 inches with fish up to 11 pounds recorded.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Today, coho are found primarily in northern California coastal streams like the Klamath and Eel River systems, with the species completely absent from San Francisco Bay tributaries and most streams south of the Bay.
  • Historically found in 582 California streams from the Smith River to the San Lorenzo River, they've been lost from about half of these waters.

Key Locations

  • Lake Oroville (only legal location), historically Klamath and Eel River systems, Smith River to San Lorenzo River historically.

Specific Spots

  • At Lake Oroville: dam and Bidwell Bridge areas, along the buoy line near the dam.
  • Historically: slow, deep runs, back eddies, lagoons, and along current seams.
  • They typically held high in the water column when first encountered but would drop deeper after being pressured.
  • They prefer small coastal streams with low gradient reaches, deep pools formed by large woody debris, cool water temperatures, and stable gravel substrates.

Coho Salmon FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What flies work for Coho Salmon in California?

streamers in pink, chartreuse, or purple with weighted heads that drop quickly, nymphs and salmon e.g.g patterns, topwater flies like Popper Wogs and Pollywogs in pink or purple colors.

When is the best time to fish for Coho Salmon in California?

Spring and fall provide the best fishing conditions at Lake Oroville. Adults enter freshwater to spawn from September through January, with peak spawning occurring November through December in the Klamath and Eel rivers, making this period when fishing should be avoided to protect spawning populations.

How do you catch Coho Salmon in California?

At Lake Oroville, successful techniques include trolling in the dam and Bidwell Bridge areas, and mooching anchovy chunks along the buoy line near the dam.

What do Coho Salmon eat?

Adult coho feed on anchovies, sand lance, herring, squid, and other juvenile salmon species in estuarine areas, while juveniles consume terrestrial insects (25-50% of diet), aquatic insects, plankton, crustaceans, and amphipods. At Lake Oroville, they target Japanese pond smelt which are the primary forage.

Where do Coho Salmon live in California?

Today, coho are found primarily in northern California coastal streams like the Klamath and Eel River systems, with the species completely absent from San Francisco Bay tributaries and most streams south of the Bay.

Fish smarter with real-time insights

Whether you're en route and conditions shift or you're looking for the best spot based on current flows, we enable you to make informed decisions on the fly.

See it in the app

Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Coho Salmon.

  1. 01 · Species map filter

    Map every Coho Salmon water

    Pick Coho Salmon and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.

  2. 02 · Waterbody species

    Tap any water. See what lives there.

    Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.

  3. 03 · Angler Intelligence

    Ask how to catch Coho Salmon

    Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.

Stop guessing where Coho Salmon are.

Open the map, filter by Coho Salmon, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.

  • Species map filter
  • Angler Intelligence
  • Fishing journal
Try onWater+ for free

Explore other species

Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.

No species information available.

California licenses and regulations

Explore nearby waters

Explore California waters

Top fishing waters

Popular Cities

Loading popular cities...

Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.

onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.