The Coho Salmon
The coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) is a cold-water sport fish found primarily in Lake Ontario and its tributaries. Coho salmon are rare in Lake Erie. Coho salmon typically range between 20 and 30 inches in length and can vary quite a bit in appearance. When residing in Lake Ontario or Lake Erie, coho salmon usually have a silver belly and sides, a dark gray back, black spots speckling the upper back area, and usually a dark gray face and head. When coho salmon run up creeks and rivers in the fall, their coloration tends to become darker. Spawning coho salmon in creeks and rivers usually have a dark gray to deep olive colored body with a substantial amount of red color from cheek to tail below the lateral line (especially the males). Unlike steelhead, the red on coho salmon extends to the belly.
Coho salmon are one of many anadromous salmonids found in western New York and are a popular sportfish. Coho salmon can be very difficult to distinguish from Chinook salmon. The easiest way to distinguish a coho salmon from a Chinook is the color of its mouth. Coho salmon have black mouths with white gums. The mouth of a Chinook salmon is completely black, including the gums, while steelhead do not have any black inside their mouths.
Habitat
Coho salmon are anadromous fish, meaning they reside in a large body of water before swimming up creeks and rivers to spawn. Coho salmon will live in the deep water of Lakes Ontario or Erie for most of their lives. Once they reach sexual maturity, Coho salmon swim up creeks and rivers where they spawn. During the spawn, Coho salmon typically reside in deep pools and runs in creeks and rivers. Coho salmon are also partial to the well-oxygenated water beneath waterfalls. Coho salmon die after spawning.
Lake Ontario is especially conducive to sustaining salmon populations because of its depth. Lake Ontario has a maximum depth of 801 feet and can therefore maintain the cold water temperatures needed for salmon survival year round. In Lake Ontario, Coho salmon cruise the water column, typically at depths below 80 feed, feeding on baitfish.
Food
When residing in Lake Ontario, Coho salmon feed on baitfish. The plentiful supply of baitfish in Lake Ontario allows Coho salmon to reach good sizes in only a few years. Once they enter creeks and rivers, Coho salmon do not feed because they are focused on spawning. However, a Coho salmon’s natural instinct will cause it to bite eggs or baitfish that venture too close.
Where to Catch Coho Salmon
Lake Ontario maintains a good population of Coho salmon, which are stocked in its tributaries. Therefore, the most popular place to target Coho salmon is the Niagara Frontier including Niagara and Orleans Counties. Coho salmon are also present but relatively rare in Lake Erie.
In the summer, Coho salmon reside in Lake Ontario or Erie, and cannot be caught in tributaries. The best way to target Coho salmon in the summer is by trolling in deep water with a boat. The only exception to this is rare occasions when upwelling occurs near the Lake Ontario shores. When upwelling occurs and colder water is pushed up from the deep, salmon and trout can become confused and enter the mouths of Ontario tributaries. These events can occur in July or August and are short lived.
The only time to target Coho salmon without a boat is during the run. The salmon run usually begins in September and peaks in October. A few salmon can usually be caught through the winter and into the spring. During the run, Coho salmon can be caught in most Lake Ontario tributaries. The most popular Lake Ontario tributaries are 18 Mile Creek and the Oak Orchard River. When fishing these streams, you will not be alone. During the height of the salmon run, anglers seem to outnumber the fish!
How to Catch Coho Salmon
Fly-fishing is one popular method for targeting Coho salmon in creeks and rivers. Productive baits for Coho salmon include egg patterns and streamers. It is usually best to fish egg patterns under an indicator with split shot weight added about 1 foot from the hook. Enough split shot should be added so that your weight reaches and drags on the bottom of the stream. You should aim to drift your fly as close to the fish’s mouth as possible.
Swinging streamers is another good option. From personal experience, Coho salmon seem to respond well to black streamers. Although Coho salmon are not feeding during the spawn, swinging streamers close to Coho salmon will often trigger reaction strikes. Keep in mind that it may take several drifts before the fish takes, if it does at all.
Spin fishing is another way to target Coho salmon during the run. Contrary to the belief of many, salmon WILL strike bait during the run. Snagging is NOT the only way to catch salmon and is ILLEGAL. Productive baits for the spin fisherman include egg sacs, trout beads, spinners, and jigs. Fishing egg sacs under a float is especially popular amongst salmon anglers on Lake Ontario tributaries.
There is some good information regarding salmon fishing in western New York on the NYS DEC website including public fishing access maps: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/62216.html
