Alaska · Southeast Alaska
COHO SALMON FISHING
IN PETERSBURG
Petersburg is a solid destination for coho salmon fishing, with peak season in August and good catches in July, September. Book a charter and target coho salmon with local experts.
About Coho Salmon Fishing in Petersburg
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 — Petersburg
Month-by-month availability for coho salmon in Petersburg, AK.
How to Catch Coho Salmon in Petersburg
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 Petersburg
Top spots where local captains target coho salmon and other nearshore species.
Frederick Sound
Frederick Sound adjacent to Petersburg is a major waterway where king salmon, halibut, and humpback whales concentrate in nutrient-rich waters. The sound's productive feeding grounds support outstanding fishing for multiple species within a short run of the harbor.
Thomas Bay
Thomas Bay north of Petersburg features glacially-fed waters where halibut, king salmon, and rockfish hold over varied bottom structure. The bay's dramatic scenery and productive fishing make it a popular destination for Petersburg charter boats.
The Brothers Islands
The Brothers Islands in Stephens Passage west of Petersburg feature rocky nearshore reefs where lingcod, rockfish, and halibut hold in current-swept habitat. The islands' tidal influence creates productive fishing structure at their rocky perimeters.
Dry Strait
Dry Strait south of Petersburg between Mitkof and Kupreanof Islands provides nearshore fishing where king salmon, halibut, and rockfish hold in the strait's tidal channels. The area's diverse bottom structure supports multi-species fishing close to town.
Other Species in Petersburg
More fish you can target while visiting Petersburg.
Coho Salmon Fishing in Petersburg — FAQ
The peak months for Coho Salmon fishing in Petersburg are August. During these months, Coho Salmon are most active and abundant in the Petersburg area.
Coho Salmon fishing charters in Petersburg 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 Petersburg, 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 Petersburg, you may also catch Rockfish, Pacific Halibut, Sockeye Salmon, Lingcod, Chinook Salmon. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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