Alaska · Southeast Alaska
COHO SALMON FISHING
IN WRANGELL
Wrangell 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 Wrangell
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 — Wrangell
Month-by-month availability for coho salmon in Wrangell, AK.
How to Catch Coho Salmon in Wrangell
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 Wrangell
Top spots where local captains target coho salmon and other nearshore species.
Eastern Passage
Eastern Passage between Wrangell Island and the mainland features current-swept nearshore waters where king salmon, halibut, and rockfish hold along rocky structure. The passage's tidal influence creates productive fishing within a short run of Wrangell Harbor.
Anita Bay
Anita Bay on Etolin Island south of Wrangell provides sheltered nearshore fishing where king salmon, halibut, and shrimp hold in the bay's deeper waters. The bay's protected conditions offer quality fishing when outside waters are rough.
Roosevelt Harbor
Roosevelt Harbor on the south end of the Wrangell area features rocky nearshore structure where rockfish, halibut, and lingcod hold in protected waters. The harbor's diverse bottom provides productive bottom-fishing for smaller boats.
Thoms Place
Thoms Place south of Wrangell is a sheltered cove and creek system where coho salmon and pink salmon stage during summer runs. The area's protected waters and salmon concentration make it a reliable nearshore destination.
Other Species in Wrangell
More fish you can target while visiting Wrangell.
Coho Salmon Fishing in Wrangell — FAQ
The peak months for Coho Salmon fishing in Wrangell are August. During these months, Coho Salmon are most active and abundant in the Wrangell area.
Coho Salmon fishing charters in Wrangell 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 Wrangell, 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 Wrangell, you may also catch Rockfish, Pacific Halibut, Chinook Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Lingcod. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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