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Coho Salmon

Oncorhynchus kisutch

The coho salmon — also called silver salmon — is a beloved sport and commercial fish throughout the Pacific Northwest. Known for their acrobatic fighting ability and beautiful silver coloration in the ocean, coho make spectacular runs into coastal rivers and streams each fall. They are also one of the most important salmon species for inland sport fishing in the Great Lakes, where they were introduced in 1966.

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Typical Size
18–30 inches (45–76 cm) typical
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Weight
4–12 lbs (1.8–5.4 kg) typical; record over 33 lbs (15 kg)
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Lifespan
3–4 years (Pacific); up to 5 years (Great Lakes)
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Water Type
Fresh & Salt

🗺️ Habitat

Pacific coastal streams and rivers from Alaska to California; also introduced to all five Great Lakes. Migrates from ocean to freshwater to spawn.

🔍 How to Identify Coho Salmon

  • 1Bright silver sides with black spots on the upper body and ONLY the upper tail lobe
  • 2Black gums (like chinook, differentiating from other salmon)
  • 3White gum line at the base of the teeth
  • 4During spawning, males turn dark red to maroon with a dark back
  • 5More slender than chinook salmon; smaller overall

🍽️ Diet

Insects and invertebrates as juveniles; herring, anchovies, smelt, and squid as adults in the ocean

💡 Fun Facts About Coho Salmon

  • ★Coho were introduced to the Great Lakes in 1966 to control alewife populations and create a sport fishery
  • ★The Great Lakes coho fishery is now worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually
  • ★Coho salmon are one of the most important commercial fish in Alaska
  • ★They are known for "schooling up" in river mouths before entering streams to spawn
  • ★The "silver salmon" run in Alaska is one of the most spectacular wildlife events in North America

🛡️ Conservation Status

Varies by population — some stocks are endangered (California), others abundant (Alaska)

🔗 Related Species

Chinook SalmonAtlantic SalmonRainbow Trout

Identify Coho Salmon Instantly with AI

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Learn more:

How to Identify Fish: A Beginner's GuideMost Common Freshwater Fish in North America← Back to All Fish Species