Alaska · Southeast Alaska
COHO SALMON FISHING
IN HAINES
Haines is an excellent destination for coho salmon fishing, with peak season in August, September and good catches in July. Book a charter and target coho salmon with local experts.
About Coho Salmon Fishing in Haines
Silver salmon are legendary fighters known for explosive surface strikes and aerial acrobatics. Coho run from midsummer through fall along the entire Pacific coast, from California's Smith River to Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. Bright chrome ocean fish are prized for both sport and table quality.
Coho Salmon — also called Silver Salmon — are prized for their aggressive surface strikes and spectacular aerial acrobatics. Averaging 8-12 pounds, they are smaller than kings but pound-for-pound are considered harder fighters. Ocean-phase coho are brilliant chrome-silver with small black spots confined to the upper lobe of the tail and the back above the lateral line. Spawning males turn deep red on the sides with a dark green head and develop a dramatic hooked jaw. Females become darker but retain more of their shape.
Scientific name: Oncorhynchus kisutch
Coho Salmon Seasonal Calendar — Haines
Month-by-month availability for coho salmon in Haines, AK.
How to Catch Coho Salmon in Haines
Techniques & Bait
Ocean trolling with herring, hoochies (plastic squid lures), or spoons behind flashers at 15-60 feet is the primary technique. Coho often feed higher in the water column than kings, so shallower presentations work well. Casting buzz bombs, Crippled Herring spoons, and spinners into surface-feeding schools produces explosive strikes. In rivers, casting spinners (Blue Fox, Panther Martin), drifting roe under a float, or swinging flies on a sink-tip line are all effective. Coho are aggressive and respond well to fast-moving presentations.
Recommended Tackle
Ocean: 7-8'6" medium rod, level-wind or spinning reel, 15-20 lb mono or 30 lb braid. River: 8'6"-9'6" medium rod, spinning reel, 10-15 lb line, 8-12 lb fluorocarbon leader. Fly: 7-8 weight rod, sink-tip line, bright patterns (Clouser, Bunny Leech, Egg-Sucking Leech).
Best Nearshore Fishing Spots in Haines
Top spots where local captains target coho salmon and other nearshore species.
Lynn Canal (Haines)
Lynn Canal adjacent to Haines is the deepest fjord in North America, and its nutrient-rich nearshore waters hold king salmon, halibut, and rockfish. The canal's depth and tidal influence create productive fishing conditions close to shore.
Eldred Rock
Eldred Rock in Lynn Canal south of Haines is a lighthouse-marked rocky island where halibut, king salmon, and rockfish hold in current-swept nearshore structure. The rock's position in the canal catches tidal currents that concentrate baitfish.
Battery Point
Battery Point near Haines features rocky nearshore structure where king salmon follow the shoreline during migration and halibut hold on the adjacent sandy bottom. The point's accessible trail provides shore-fishing opportunities.
Taiya Inlet
Taiya Inlet east of Haines toward Skagway provides nearshore fishing where coho salmon, pink salmon, and halibut hold in glacially-fed waters. The inlet's scenic Chilkoot Trail access area attracts fishing visitors from both Haines and Skagway.
Other Species in Haines
More fish you can target while visiting Haines.
Coho Salmon Fishing in Haines — FAQ
The peak months for Coho Salmon fishing in Haines are August, September. During these months, Coho Salmon are most active and abundant in the Haines area.
Coho Salmon fishing charters in Haines are typically nearshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Ocean trolling with herring, hoochies (plastic squid lures), or spoons behind flashers at 15-60 feet is the primary technique. Coho often feed higher in the water column than kings, so shallower presentations work well. Casting buzz bombs, Crippled Herring spoons, and spinners into surface-feeding schools produces explosive strikes. In rivers, casting spinners (Blue Fox, Panther Martin), drifting roe under a float, or swinging flies on a sink-tip line are all effective. Coho are aggressive and respond well to fast-moving presentations.
No — when you book a charter in Haines, your captain provides all required Alaska fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Coho Salmon regulations in Alaska include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Coho Salmon in Haines, you may also catch Pacific Halibut, Chinook Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Rockfish, Lingcod. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch Coho Salmon in Haines?
Compare verified charter captains, check availability, and book your coho salmon fishing trip today.
Get Charter Quotes