Washington · Washington Outer Coast
COHO SALMON FISHING
IN ILWACO
Ilwaco is an excellent destination for coho salmon fishing, with peak season in August, September and good catches in July. Book a charter and target coho salmon with local experts.
About Coho Salmon Fishing in Ilwaco
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 — Ilwaco
Month-by-month availability for coho salmon in Ilwaco, WA.
How to Catch Coho Salmon in Ilwaco
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 Ilwaco
Top spots where local captains target coho salmon and other nearshore species.
North Head Reefs
The rocky reefs off North Head at Cape Disappointment hold lingcod, rockfish, and cabezon in nearshore structure adjacent to the Columbia River's north jetty. The headland's position at the river entrance creates current patterns that concentrate baitfish and attract predators.
Columbia River North Jetty
The Columbia River North Jetty at Cape Disappointment extends into the Pacific, creating miles of rock structure where lingcod, rockfish, surfperch, and greenling hold. Shore anglers fish from the jetty rocks while the adjacent channel holds staging salmon.
Leadbetter Point
Leadbetter Point at the northern tip of the Long Beach Peninsula offers surf-fishing and nearshore access where surfperch and flatfish hold in the sandy waters at Willapa Bay's entrance. The point's position between the ocean and the bay creates productive fishing conditions.
Seaview Beach Nearshore
The nearshore waters off Seaview and Long Beach hold surfperch and halibut over sandy bottom accessible from the beach or by small boat. The area's gentle nearshore slope and sandy habitat support quality halibut fishing during the summer open season.
Other Species in Ilwaco
More fish you can target while visiting Ilwaco.
Coho Salmon Fishing in Ilwaco — FAQ
The peak months for Coho Salmon fishing in Ilwaco are August, September. During these months, Coho Salmon are most active and abundant in the Ilwaco area.
Coho Salmon fishing charters in Ilwaco 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 Ilwaco, 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 Ilwaco, you may also catch Rockfish, Chinook Salmon, Pacific Halibut, Lingcod, Dungeness Crab. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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