Washington · Strait & Sound
COHO SALMON FISHING
IN ANACORTES
Anacortes is a solid destination for coho salmon fishing, with peak season in September and good catches in August, October. Book a charter and target coho salmon with local experts.
About Coho Salmon Fishing in Anacortes
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 — Anacortes
Month-by-month availability for coho salmon in Anacortes, WA.
How to Catch Coho Salmon in Anacortes
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 Anacortes
Top spots where local captains target coho salmon and other nearshore species.
Burrows Island
Burrows Island west of Anacortes features rocky nearshore reefs where lingcod, rockfish, and cabezon hold in current-swept habitat at the entrance to Rosario Strait. The island's position catches tidal currents that concentrate baitfish around its rocky perimeter.
Allan Island
Allan Island in the waters between Anacortes and the San Juan Islands features rocky reef structure where lingcod, rockfish, and greenling hold in 30 to 80 feet of water. The island's submerged reef extending from its shores provides productive bottom-fishing.
Deception Pass Kelp
The kelp beds adjacent to Deception Pass hold lingcod, rockfish, and greenling in dense canopy structure over rocky bottom. The pass's current-fed kelp forests support productive nearshore ecosystems that concentrate fish.
Fidalgo Head
Fidalgo Head on the western shore of Fidalgo Island features rocky nearshore structure where lingcod, rockfish, and cabezon hold in current-swept habitat facing Rosario Strait. The headland's exposed reef provides quality bottom-fishing close to Anacortes.
Other Species in Anacortes
More fish you can target while visiting Anacortes.
Coho Salmon Fishing in Anacortes — FAQ
The peak months for Coho Salmon fishing in Anacortes are September. During these months, Coho Salmon are most active and abundant in the Anacortes area.
Coho Salmon fishing charters in Anacortes 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 Anacortes, your captain provides all required Washington fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Coho Salmon regulations in Washington 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 Anacortes, you may also catch Rockfish, Dungeness Crab, Pacific Halibut, Chinook Salmon, Lingcod. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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