Coho Salmon — Michigan Fishing
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Coho Salmon Introduced

🔬 Oncorhynchus kisutch

Stocked by MDNR in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron tributaries. Fast-fighting fish that creates explosive action during fall river runs. Also caught by trolling.

5-12 lbs, 20-28 inches
Typical size
30 lbs 9 oz
Michigan record
Fall
Best season
110
Listed lakes

🛡 Conservation Status

Introduced Native to Pacific drainages. Introduced to Michigan by MDNR in 1966 specifically to control the alewife explosion in Lake Michigan. The introduction created a world-class Great Lakes sport fishery almost overnight. Now a foundational part of the Great Lakes charter fishing economy. Annual stocking sustains the population -- natural reproduction contributes in some tributaries.

🌿 Habitat & Behavior

Great Lakes open water in summer; runs into tributaries September through November. Inland lakes near river inflows.

🎣 Best Techniques

Spoons, spinners, egg sacs during fall river runs ÔÇö also trolling with flashers in the Great Lakes

🌊 Where to Catch in Michigan

Lake County Population Notes
Ankadosh Creek Chippewa Good
Anna River Alger Good
Au Sable River Iosco Good
Au Train River Alger Good
Barber Creek Allegan Good
Bear Lake
3,350 acres
Manistee Good Fall run access
Bear River (below dam in Petoskey) Emmet Good
Beatons Lake Gogebic Good
Big Sable River (above Hamlin Lake) Mason Good
Black River Alcona Good
Black River mouth Alcona Good
Bond Falls Flowage Gogebic Good
Carp River Mackinac Good
Carp River Marquette Good
Charlevoix Lake
17,260 acres
Charlevoix Good Lake Michigan connected
Chocolay River Marquette Good
Cisco Lake Gogebic Good
Courtney Lake Ontonagon Good
Crockery Creek Muskegon Good
Crockery Creek Ottawa Good

📦 DNR Stocking History

Total stocked: 75,891,993
Stocking events: 1,271
Peak year: 1979 (4,687,079)


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📋 Quick Facts