Washington · Washington Outer Coast
COHO SALMON FISHING
IN NEAH BAY
Neah Bay is an excellent destination for coho salmon fishing, with peak season in August, September and good catches in July, October. Book a charter and target coho salmon with local experts.
About Coho Salmon Fishing in Neah Bay
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 — Neah Bay
Month-by-month availability for coho salmon in Neah Bay, WA.
How to Catch Coho Salmon in Neah Bay
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 Neah Bay
Top spots where local captains target coho salmon and other nearshore species.
Tatoosh Island
Tatoosh Island at Cape Flattery, the northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States, is surrounded by rocky reefs where lingcod, rockfish, and cabezon hold in powerful currents. The island's exposed position in the Strait of Juan de Fuca creates some of the most dynamic nearshore fishing on the Washington coast.
Seal and Sail Rocks
Seal and Sail Rocks offshore of Neah Bay provide rocky nearshore structure where lingcod, black rockfish, and yelloweye rockfish hold in dramatic volcanic formations. The rocks' position in the strait's currents concentrates baitfish and attracts quality bottomfish.
Koitlah Point
Koitlah Point east of Neah Bay features rocky reef structure in the Strait of Juan de Fuca where lingcod, rockfish, and halibut hold in current-swept habitat. The point's nearshore reefs provide productive bottom-fishing accessible from Neah Bay in minutes.
Mushroom Rock
Mushroom Rock is a distinctive sea stack west of Neah Bay surrounded by productive nearshore reef where lingcod, cabezon, and rockfish hold in kelp-covered structure. The rock serves as a landmark for the surrounding reef fishing grounds.
Other Species in Neah Bay
More fish you can target while visiting Neah Bay.
Coho Salmon Fishing in Neah Bay — FAQ
The peak months for Coho Salmon fishing in Neah Bay are August, September. During these months, Coho Salmon are most active and abundant in the Neah Bay area.
Coho Salmon fishing charters in Neah Bay 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 Neah Bay, 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 Neah Bay, you may also catch Rockfish, Pacific Halibut, Chinook Salmon, Lingcod, Dungeness Crab. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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