Alaska · Southeast Alaska
COHO SALMON FISHING
IN KETCHIKAN
Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan
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 — Ketchikan
Month-by-month availability for coho salmon in Ketchikan, AK.
How to Catch Coho Salmon in Ketchikan
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 Ketchikan
Top spots where local captains target coho salmon and other nearshore species.
Guard Islands
The Guard Islands at the entrance to Tongass Narrows feature rocky nearshore reefs where lingcod, rockfish, and halibut hold in current-swept habitat. The islands' position creates tidal rips that concentrate baitfish and attract king salmon and coho salmon during seasonal migrations.
Herring Cove
Herring Cove south of Ketchikan is a protected bay where king salmon, pink salmon, and coho salmon stage before entering the creek system. The cove's shallow waters and bear-viewing platform make it one of Alaska's most accessible wildlife and fishing experiences.
Smith Cove
Smith Cove near Ketchikan provides sheltered nearshore fishing where salmon, rockfish, and halibut hold in the cove's deeper sections. The cove's protected waters offer calm fishing conditions even when outer waters are rough.
Betton Island
Betton Island north of Ketchikan features rocky nearshore structure where lingcod, rockfish, and halibut hold along the island's current-swept shoreline. The island's position in Behm Canal provides productive bottom-fishing accessible from Clover Pass.
Other Species in Ketchikan
More fish you can target while visiting Ketchikan.
Coho Salmon Fishing in Ketchikan — FAQ
The peak months for Coho Salmon fishing in Ketchikan are August, September. During these months, Coho Salmon are most active and abundant in the Ketchikan area.
Coho Salmon fishing charters in Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan, 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 Ketchikan, you may also catch Rockfish, Pacific Halibut, Lingcod, Chinook Salmon, Dungeness Crab. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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