Alaska · Kenai Peninsula
COHO SALMON FISHING
IN WHITTIER
Whittier 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 Whittier
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 — Whittier
Month-by-month availability for coho salmon in Whittier, AK.
How to Catch Coho Salmon in Whittier
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 Whittier
Top spots where local captains target coho salmon and other nearshore species.
Blackstone Bay
Blackstone Bay in western Prince William Sound features tidewater glaciers and productive nearshore waters where silver salmon, halibut, and rockfish hold in glacially-fed habitats. The bay's stunning scenery and abundant wildlife make it one of Alaska's most memorable fishing destinations.
Decision Point
Decision Point at the entrance to Passage Canal marks where Whittier's waters open into Prince William Sound, and the point's rocky structure holds halibut, rockfish, and lingcod in current-swept nearshore habitat.
Pigot Bay
Pigot Bay north of Whittier in Prince William Sound provides sheltered nearshore fishing where silver salmon, rockfish, and halibut hold in deep, calm waters. The bay's protected setting offers fishable conditions when the outer sound is rough.
Bettles Bay
Bettles Bay east of Whittier features rocky nearshore structure and kelp beds where rockfish and halibut hold in the nutrient-rich waters of Prince William Sound. The bay provides quality fishing in a scenic, sheltered setting.
Other Species in Whittier
More fish you can target while visiting Whittier.
Coho Salmon Fishing in Whittier — FAQ
The peak months for Coho Salmon fishing in Whittier are August. During these months, Coho Salmon are most active and abundant in the Whittier area.
Coho Salmon fishing charters in Whittier 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 Whittier, 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 Whittier, you may also catch Rockfish, Pacific Halibut, Lingcod, Chinook Salmon, Sockeye Salmon. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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