coho-salmon
Species Facts

Science Name: Oncorhynchus kisutch
Other Names: silver salmon, blueback
Ideal Temp: 53 to 58
World Record: 33 lbs. 4 NY
Environment: coastal, stream, lake
Techniques: medium casting, medium fly
Range: Great Lakes and western North America
Description

This species is usually 18-24 inches in length and 8-12 pounds in weight. The head is conical with a snout bluntly pointed but greatly extended, thickened and turned down in breeding males. These breeding males are characterized by their inability to close their mouths. All have sharp teeth on both jaws. Adults in the ocean are colored a steel-blue to slightly green with silver sides, white bellies and small black spots on the back. The coloring is less spectacular in fresh water specimens.

Distribution The coho salmon occurs naturally only in the Pacific Ocean and its tributary drainage. It can also be found in some fresh water areas including the Great Lakes.

Habitat Anadromous, spawning in many small streams and some large ones along the Pacific coast. Introduced into many inland lakes including the Great Lakes and upper Missouri River reservoirs. Preferred water temperature: 53 to 57F.

Food Habitat The diet consists mainly of fish, sometimes including young pink and chum salmon. Cohos also eat a variety of crustaceans. In the Great Lakes, alewives are the primary food.

Spawning Habits After spending up to 18 months at sea these 3-5 year old adults migrate late in the season and over a prolonged period. Often they school at the mouths of rivers and move up when fall rains increase rives flow. Generally a coho will not travel more than 150 miles up river from the sea or lake. Spawning takes place anywhere between October and January. After the female prepares the redd she will lay 2100-2789 eggs guarding them until she dies a few days later. The fry emerge from early March to late July and although some will migrate almost immediately, most remain at least one year in fresh water lakes or streams.

Relation to Man The coho has always been considered important by commercial and sport fishermen in British Columbia. The best catches are made from July to September with a peak in August. Fly fisherman take cohos at stream mouths using bucktail flies and anglers using frozen or pickled herring have plenty of luck. In fact on the average B.C. anglers catch 110 000 grilse per year. Coho can be canned, mild cured, smoked or if troll caught, sold fresh or fresh-frozen.

Table Quality Their meat can vary in color from red to white and the red flesh is considered to be the best. Coho's food value is on par with chinook and sockeye.

Age and Growth Cohos spawn at age 2 to 5, most commonly at age 3. Both sexes die after spawning. Males generally weigh more than females.

Tips for Fishing

In the ocean, coho salmon are fished primarily by trolling with dead bait (anchovy, herring, etc.) or any of several types of lures. Occasionally, live bait is used while drift fishing. The fish are usually caught within 30 feet of the surface and a heavy weight is normally used to keep a trolled lure at the desired depth. Several devices are used by recreational anglers to detach this weight when a fish strikes or is hooked. Best trolling speed appears to be about 2 knots per hour.