Washington · Strait & Sound
COHO SALMON FISHING
IN BELLINGHAM
Bellingham 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 Bellingham
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 — Bellingham
Month-by-month availability for coho salmon in Bellingham, WA.
How to Catch Coho Salmon in Bellingham
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 Bellingham
Top spots where local captains target coho salmon and other nearshore species.
Lummi Island Reefs
The rocky reefs around Lummi Island hold lingcod, rockfish, and cabezon in current-swept habitat in the waters between Bellingham and the San Juan Islands. The island's western shore faces Rosario Strait where stronger currents concentrate baitfish and predators.
Chuckanut Rocks
The Chuckanut Rocks offshore of Chuckanut Bay provide rocky nearshore structure where lingcod, rockfish, and greenling hold in 30 to 70 feet of water. The rocks' position near the bay creates accessible nearshore fishing for Bellingham-based boats.
Eliza Island
Eliza Island between Bellingham Bay and Lummi Island features rocky nearshore reefs where lingcod and rockfish hold in kelp-covered structure. The island's submerged reef extensions provide productive bottom-fishing habitat close to the Bellingham harbor.
Portage Island
Portage Island in the waters north of Bellingham features rocky nearshore structure where lingcod, rockfish, and greenling hold along the island's current-swept perimeter. Small boats from Bellingham access the island for nearshore bottom-fishing.
Other Species in Bellingham
More fish you can target while visiting Bellingham.
Coho Salmon Fishing in Bellingham — FAQ
The peak months for Coho Salmon fishing in Bellingham are September. During these months, Coho Salmon are most active and abundant in the Bellingham area.
Coho Salmon fishing charters in Bellingham 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 Bellingham, 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 Bellingham, you may also catch Rockfish, Dungeness Crab, Pacific Halibut, Chinook Salmon, Lingcod. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch Coho Salmon in Bellingham?
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