Coho Salmon
A Pacific salmon stocked heavily in Washington and, as a landlocked freshwater fishery, in Montana reservoirs.
- Scientific name
- Oncorhynchus kisutch
- Family
- Salmonidae
- Adult size
- Typically 24–28 inches, 8–12 pounds in ocean-run fish.
Identification
Metallic blue-green back with silver sides at sea; spawning males develop a bright red body and hooked jaw. White gum line separates it from Chinook.
Habitat
Ocean-going in Washington's coastal rivers and Puget Sound tributaries; landlocked in a small number of Montana reservoirs.
Diet
Insects and small fish as juveniles; fish and crustaceans at sea.
Angling
A popular fall target in Washington's rivers and marine waters.
Conservation
Some Washington coho populations are ESA-listed; status varies by watershed.
Where Coho Salmon is stocked
When Coho Salmon is stocked
Top Coho Salmon waters
Cowlitz River
Lewis County · 5 species · 2642 records
Last stocked May 2026
Fort Peck Lake
16 species · 1842 records
Last stocked July 2025
Missouri River
19 species · 1417 records
Last stocked October 2010
Lewis River North Fork
Cowlitz County · 4 species · 1360 records
Last stocked June 2026
Madison River
5 species · 1310 records
Last stocked April 2006
Cedar River
King County · 2 species · 1310 records
Last stocked May 2026
Flathead Lake
14 species · 1161 records
Last stocked October 1997
Georgetown Lake
5 species · 968 records
Last stocked June 2026
Baker Lake
Whatcom County · 4 species · 922 records
Last stocked May 2026
Hauser Reservoir
10 species · 897 records
Last stocked April 2026
Big Soos Creek
King County · 3 species · 804 records
Last stocked July 2026
Kalama River
3 species · 728 records
Last stocked April 2026
Lake Mary Ronan
8 species · 685 records
Last stocked June 2026
Minter Creek
Kitsap County · 4 species · 651 records
Last stocked July 2026
Cooney Reservoir
7 species · 638 records
Last stocked May 2026
Lake Ontario
Wayne County · 8 species · 611 records
Last stocked May 2026
Fork Creek
Pacific County · 4 species · 561 records
Last stocked June 2026
Deadmans Basin Reservoir
6 species · 547 records
Last stocked May 2026
Washougal River
Clark County · 3 species · 545 records
Last stocked June 2026
Seeley Lake
7 species · 536 records
Last stocked May 2024
Wenatchee River
Chelan County · 4 species · 533 records
Last stocked April 2026
Issaquah Creek
King County · 4 species · 520 records
Last stocked May 2026
Peale Pass
Mason County · 2 species · 512 records
Last stocked May 2025
Harpers Lake
5 species · 505 records
Last stocked June 2026
Frequently asked
Where is Coho Salmon stocked?
Coho Salmon is stocked in 897 waters across 3 states: Washington, Montana, New York.
When is Coho Salmon stocked?
Coho Salmon is typically stocked in spring, most often in April, based on records across every state that stocks it.
How many Coho Salmon are stocked?
About 6,502,716,029,320,440,000,000,000 Coho Salmon have been stocked on record since 1924, across Montana, New York, Washington.
What size Coho Salmon are stocked?
Stocked Coho Salmon average about 2.9 inches, based on sizes reported by Montana, New York — not every state reports sizes.
What does a Coho Salmon look like?
Metallic blue-green back with silver sides at sea; spawning males develop a bright red body and hooked jaw. White gum line separates it from Chinook.