Washington Coho Salmon Fishing 2026: Sound, Coast, Rivers, Catch Records

Coho salmon—silvers—light up Puget Sound when schools arrive, stack in coastal nearshore waters, and stage in river mouths before fall rains. WDFW sets marine area seasons and river openings that can change quickly—check emergency rules. Pair this guide with our Washington fishing overview for 2026.

Short history and management overview

Coho returns vary with ocean conditions and habitat. Hatchery programs support fisheries—mark-selective rules protect wild fish where required.

Main locations in Washington

• Puget Sound marine areas — Trolling when open; watch area boundaries.
• Washington coast — Ocean ports and nearshore stacks.
• Columbia tributaries — When seasons align with flows.

Population and trends

Follow WDFW run-size updates—avoid outdated social posts for bag limits.

2026 regulations and bag limits

WDFW regulations for coho:

• Catch record requirements where applicable
• Daily limits by area and fishery type
• Wild vs hatchery rules in selective fisheries

How to fish for coho salmon in Washington (strategies and tactics)

• Trolling — Flashers with spoons or hoochies; match depth to temperature.
• Mooching — Cut plug herring where allowed.
• River float fishing — When drift fisheries open.

More Washington species guides (2026)

• Chinook salmon
• Steelhead
• Largemouth bass
• Pacific halibut

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Sources

1. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. "Fishing." WDFW, wdfw.wa.gov/fishing. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
2. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. "Salmon fishing." WDFW, wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/management/salmon. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
3. NOAA Fisheries. "West Coast Salmon." NOAA, fisheries.noaa.gov/species/west-coast-salmon. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
4. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "Fish and Aquatic Species." USFWS, fws.gov/library/categories/fish-and-aquatic-species. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.