Coho / Silver Salmon
Silver Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), also known as Coho Salmon, are one of the most acrobatic and aggressive of all Pacific salmon, making them a favorite for fly anglers, lure casters, and trolling enthusiasts alike. With their blistering runs, aerial displays, and hard-hitting strikes, silvers provide an exhilarating fight whether in saltwater or freshwater.
Where to Find Silver Salmon
Silver Salmon are anadromous, migrating between the ocean and freshwater rivers, where they spawn in fall and early winter. The best destinations for silver salmon fishing include:
- Alaska (Kenai River, Bristol Bay, Kodiak Island, Prince William Sound) – Arguably the best silver salmon fishing in the world.
- British Columbia (Skeena River, Fraser River, Vancouver Island) – Excellent runs of wild silvers.
- Washington & Oregon (Puget Sound, Columbia River, Tillamook Bay) – Strong fall silver salmon runs.
- California (Klamath River, Sacramento River, Trinity River) – Seasonal silver salmon fishing.
- Russia & Kamchatka – Remote, untouched rivers with massive runs of wild silver salmon.
- Chile & Argentina (Patagonia) – Home to some of the best silver salmon fishing outside of North America.
What Makes Silver Salmon Special?
Silver Salmon are known for their aggressive feeding habits and explosive fighting style, often leaping several feet out of the water when hooked. Unlike some other salmon species, silvers continue to strike aggressively even in freshwater, making them a dream target for fly and light tackle anglers. They are also one of the best-tasting salmon, prized for their firm, flavorful fillets.
Top Fishing Techniques
Silver Salmon respond well to fast-moving baits and artificial lures, with the best methods including:
- Casting Spinners & Spoons (Blue Fox, Mepps, Vibrax, Kastmaster) – A go-to method in rivers and estuaries.
- Fly Fishing with Bright Streamers & Poppers – Silvers readily take chartreuse, pink, and purple flies.
- Trolling with Flashers & Herring – Deadly for targeting ocean-run silvers.
- Drift Fishing with Salmon Roe & Beads – Effective for fresh-run fish holding in pools.
- Topwater Fishing with Surface Poppers – A thrilling way to entice aggressive silvers in shallow waters.
Best Time to Fish for Silver Salmon
- Alaska & British Columbia – Best from July to October, with peak runs in late summer and early fall.
- Washington & Oregon – Best from August to November, as fish enter coastal rivers.
- California & The Pacific Northwest – Best in fall (September to November).
- Russia & Kamchatka – Best from July to September, with wild, unpressured fisheries.
- Chile & Argentina (Patagonia) – Best from January to April, during the southern hemisphere’s salmon season.
The World’s Best Silver Salmon Fishing Lodges & Charters
For anglers seeking fast-paced, high-energy salmon fishing, FishingExplora offers access to the best silver salmon fishing lodges, guided trips, and wilderness charters worldwide. Whether you’re casting into a silver salmon blitz in Alaska, fly fishing pristine rivers in British Columbia, or trolling the Pacific waters of Chile, our curated destinations provide expert guides, premier accommodations, and unforgettable fishing experiences.
Explore the best silver salmon fishing lodges and trips – right here on FishingExplora.
