Coho salmon
Anadromous Pacific salmon known for silver ocean phase and red spawning colours.
The coho salmon is a Pacific species that migrates between salt water and fresh rivers to spawn. It supports major fisheries in Alaska and Russia and serves as a popular game fish in North America. Introduced populations exist in the Great Lakes, though natural reproduction there remains limited.
- Changes colour from silver to bright red when spawning
- Adults die after a single spawning event
- Introduced to Great Lakes to control alewife populations
- Average weight between 3.2 and 5.0 kilograms
- Popular sport fish in Pacific Northwest waters
What it is
This fish belongs to the salmon family and is one of six Pacific species. During its time in the ocean, it displays silver sides with a dark-blue back and spots on the upper tail. When it enters fresh water to breed, its appearance changes dramatically. The sides turn bright red, while the head and back become bluish-green. Mature males develop a hooked jaw called a kype to attract mates. Adults typically measure between 50 and 71 centimetres, though some reach 16 kilograms.
Where it lives
Its native range spans the North Pacific Ocean. Populations exist from Hokkaidō in Japan and eastern Russia, across the Bering Sea to Alaska, and south to California. Humans have introduced the species to the Great Lakes and various inland reservoirs in the United States. Stocking programs began in the 1920s in Lake Erie and expanded to other lakes by 1970. While established in some areas, natural reproduction in these introduced regions is generally low compared to the Pacific coast.
How it lives
Young fish feed on plankton and insect larvae in freshwater streams. After migrating to the sea, they switch to eating other fish. In the Great Lakes, they primarily consume alewife and smelt. They often compete with native trout for resources. Adult coho live in salt water for one to three years before returning to their natal streams. Some males, known as jacks, return early at two years old. They travel far upstream, entering shallow water to find suitable spawning grounds.
Breeding and life cycle
Mature fish return to fresh water at three or four years of age. Females dig nests, called redds, in gravel beds using their tails. They lay eggs while males release milt to fertilise them. Unselected males may sneak in to add sperm. After covering the eggs with rocks, the adults stop eating and die. This single reproductive event is known as semelparity. Eggs hatch in late winter, and the young remain in the gravel for several weeks before emerging.
Fish and people
Indigenous peoples have long relied on this salmon for food and trade. It remains a staple table fare with moderate to high fat content. Commercial fisheries in Alaska and Russia harvest millions of fish annually. Anglers prize it as a game fish in both fresh and salt water, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. Its aggressive chasing of lures makes it popular for sport. Smoking is a common preparation method, though cold smoking is preferred due to its fat levels.
Status and threats
Several populations in Washington, Oregon, and California are listed under the Endangered Species Act. Threats include habitat loss from timber harvesting, predation by seals, and climate variations like El Niño. Numbers in the Southern Oregon and Northern California region have dropped significantly since the 1940s. However, some years see strong returns, such as the large run in Oregon in 2009. Conservation efforts involve hatchery programs and monitoring of evolutionary significant units.
Questions people ask about Coho salmon
Why is it called coho salmon?
The name comes from the Halkomelem language word k̓ʷə́xʷəθ. This term was used by indigenous peoples in the Vancouver area. The scientific name derives from the Russian word kizhuch.
Do coho salmon survive after spawning?
No. They exhibit semelparity, meaning they reproduce only once. After laying eggs and fertilising them, the adults stop eating and deteriorate until death.
Where can you catch coho salmon outside the Pacific?
They have been introduced to the Great Lakes and many inland reservoirs in the United States. Large-scale stocking occurred in Lake Michigan starting in 1966.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Coho salmon", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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