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.
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Bite this month
Excellent
Best season
Fall
Keeper size
15" at ~3 yrs
Regulations
limit 5
Where to Catch Coho Salmon in Michigan
Coho Salmon Conservation Status
Introduced Coho Salmon was introduced to Michigan and is now an established part of the fishery. 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. The daily bag limit is 5.
Coho Salmon Habitat & Behavior
Great Lakes open water in summer; runs into tributaries September through November. Inland lakes near river inflows. DNR records show Coho Salmon present in 162 Michigan water bodies. Highest stocking activity on record is in Benzie, Ottawa and Clinton counties. Bite activity rates Good or better in Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep and Oct.
Best Coho Salmon Techniques
Spoons, spinners, egg sacs during fall river runs — also trolling with flashers in the Great Lakes
Best Coho Salmon Baits
Spawn sacs, spoons, wobblers, herring, squid strips
Coho Salmon Fishing Regulations in Michigan
5
Daily limit
10
Possession limit
Year-round in Great Lakes
Season
Peak runs in September–October in Lake Michigan tributaries. Skamania summer run fish available in some rivers.
⚠️ Regulations shown are general statewide guidelines for 2025. Rules vary by water body and change annually.
Always verify current regulations in the official Michigan DNR Fishing Guide before you fish.
Michigan DNR Coho Salmon Stocking Records
Coho Salmon Stocking Events by Lake
| Date | Lake | County | Quantity | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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13 more recent stocking events available with Fishing Pro
See what's been stocked recently, including lake, quantity, and size.
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| Apr 23, 2026 | Au Sable River | Oscoda | 15,000 | 5.7" |
| Apr 23, 2026 | Thunder Bay River | Alpena | 31,464 | 5.7" |
| Apr 22, 2026 | Platte River | Benzie | 75,131 | 5.5" |
| Apr 22, 2026 | Grand River | Clinton | 2,099 | 5.4" |
| Apr 22, 2026 | Rogue River (above Rockford Dam) | Kent | 42,438 | 5.6" |
| Apr 22, 2026 | Grand River | Ottawa | 2,099 | 5.4" |
| Apr 21, 2026 | Grand River | Clinton | 58,537 | 5.4" |
| Apr 21, 2026 | Grand River | Clinton | 29,272 | 5.4" |
| Apr 21, 2026 | Grand River | Ottawa | 58,537 | 5.4" |
| Apr 21, 2026 | Grand River | Ottawa | 29,272 | 5.4" |
| Apr 20, 2026 | Grand River | Clinton | 67,080 | 5.2" |
| Apr 20, 2026 | Grand River | Clinton | 32,210 | 5.3" |
Most valuable for Coho Salmon anglers
See where Coho Salmon will be stocked next
Full stocking history across all 66 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
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2,074
Historical stocking events
66
Lakes stocked
Mar
Next likely stocking window
Peak Stocking Months
Apr
May
Mar
Top Stocked Lakes
See the top 5 lakes most likely to be stocked with Coho Salmon next season.
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Forecast based on historical DNR stocking patterns. Not a guarantee of future stocking. Verify with the Michigan DNR.
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Estimated Mature Coho Salmon — September
See Which Lakes Have Mature Coho Salmon Right Now
Based on DNR stocking records from 2022–2024, we estimate which Michigan lakes likely hold Coho Salmon at keeper size (15") today.
Best Times to Fish Coho Salmon
Angler Tips for Coho Salmon
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