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Legendary Species · Oregon

Coho salmon in Oregon

Oncorhynchus kisutch[1]

36 Oregon waters whose agency species list names coho salmon. Each links to its water page (gauge, regulations, access map, guides and shops) and to the agency list it comes from.

  • 36waters list it
  • 2destination hubs
Illustration of a silver coho salmon with a blue-green back and small dark spots on the back and upper tail
Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), illustration by Timothy Knepp for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Artwork: Timothy Knepp, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Oregon waters

Most fished first. A species missing from an agency list does not mean it is absent; this page lists only waters whose list names it (at least 5 are needed for a page).

All Oregon watersCoho salmon: every state

Identification

  • Bright coho have small black spots on the back and on the upper lobe of the tail only, and white gums. Chinook have spots on both tail lobes and black gums.[2]
    What the source says
    “They can be distinguished from Chinook salmon by the lack of black spots on the lower lobe of the tail and by their white gums; Chinook have small black spots on both tail fin lobes and they have black gums.”
  • Alaska's angler tip: coho have a dark gray or blackish mouth with a white gum line, and spots on the back and upper tail lobe in both ocean and spawning phases.[3]
    What the source says
    “Ocean adults and spawning-phase coho have small black spots that run along the back and on the upper lobe of the tail. Coho also have a dark gray or blackish mouth with a white gum-line.”
  • Spawning colour: spawning coho turn a deep reddish or maroon over the whole body, head and tail included.[3]
    What the source says
    “Spawning coho (or silver) salmon develop a deep reddish or maroon coloration that covers their entire body – head and tail included.”

More on identifying coho salmon

Status, protections and rules

As each agency stated them on the date read; a rule applies only where its agency says so. Check the current regulations for the water before you fish.

  • Under the ESA, NOAA Fisheries lists the Central California Coast coho as endangered, and the Lower Columbia River, Oregon Coast, and Southern Oregon and Northern California Coasts units as threatened.[4]
    What the source says
    “We listed the Central California coast ESU of coho salmon as endangered and the Lower Columbia River ESU, Oregon coast ESU, Southern Oregon & Northern California coasts ESU as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.”
  • Alaska describes its coho populations as healthy.[2]
    What the source says
    “Coho salmon populations in Alaska are healthy.”

Water temperature in Oregon

  • Under ODFW's 68°F lineThat is under the 68°F at which ODFW says trout, steelhead and salmon “start to feel stressed”. “Fish early in the morning when water temperatures are cooler and fish are more active.”
  • Stressful for trout, steelhead and salmonODFW: “Coldwater fish such as trout, steelhead and salmon will start to feel stressed when water temperatures hit 68°F.” “Fish early in the morning when water temperatures are cooler and fish are more active.”
  • Over 70°F: stop fishingODFW: “Use a thermometer to check water temperatures frequently. Stop fishing when temperatures exceed 70 degrees.”

Sources: 5 tips for fishing in hot water (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife); ODFW takes action to help native fish (16 July 2015) (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife).

Destination hubs

Hubs that list one of these waters, or that a water page is near: each has guides, shops, licences and trip planning for the area.

Hatch & season charts

Sources

Every fact on this page is our paraphrase of the page cited beside it, read on the date shown. Rules and seasons change: check the agency's current regulations before you fish.

  1. Coho Salmon | NOAA Fisheries NOAA Fisheries, read Oct 24, 2026.
  2. Coho Salmon Species Profile, Alaska Department of Fish and Game Alaska Department of Fish and Game, read Oct 24, 2026.
  3. Alaska's Five Species of Pacific Salmon, Alaska Department of Fish and Game Alaska Department of Fish and Game, read Oct 24, 2026.
  4. Coho Salmon (Protected) | NOAA Fisheries NOAA Fisheries, read Oct 24, 2026.