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
Fair
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 160 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 6, 2026 | Escanaba River Delta County | Delta | 18,225 | 6.2" |
| May 6, 2026 | Platte River Benzie County | Benzie | 590,254 total | 5.2"–5.5" |
| May 6, 2026 | stocking event | 228,964 | 5.5" | |
| Apr 30, 2026 | stocking event | 61,200 | 5.4" | |
| Apr 30, 2026 | stocking event | 33,988 | 5.4" | |
| Apr 28, 2026 | stocking event | 66,250 | 5.2" | |
| Apr 28, 2026 | stocking event | 28,971 | 5.2" | |
| Apr 27, 2026 | stocking event | 57,600 | 5.5" | |
| Apr 27, 2026 | stocking event | 28,799 | 5.5" | |
| Apr 27, 2026 | stocking event | 9,351 | 5.5" | |
| Apr 22, 2026 | stocking event | 75,131 | 5.5" | |
| Apr 29, 2026 | Boardman River (below Union St. Dam) Grand Traverse County | Grand Traverse | 91,373 total | 5.5" |
| Apr 29, 2026 | stocking event | 57,380 | 5.5" | |
| Apr 29, 2026 | stocking event | 33,993 | 5.5" | |
| Apr 23, 2026 | Au Sable River Crawford County | Crawford | 15,000 | 5.7" |
| Apr 23, 2026 | Thunder Bay River Montmorency County | Montmorency | 31,464 | 5.7" |
| Apr 23, 2026 | Au Sable River Oscoda County | Oscoda | 15,000 | 5.7" |
| Apr 23, 2026 | Thunder Bay River Alpena County | Alpena | 31,464 | 5.7" |
| Apr 22, 2026 | Grand River Clinton County | Clinton | 189,198 total | 5.2"–5.4" |
| Apr 22, 2026 | stocking event | 2,099 | 5.4" | |
| Apr 21, 2026 | stocking event | 58,537 | 5.4" | |
| Apr 21, 2026 | stocking event | 29,272 | 5.4" | |
| Apr 20, 2026 | stocking event | 67,080 | 5.2" | |
| Apr 20, 2026 | stocking event | 32,210 | 5.3" | |
| Apr 22, 2026 | Rogue River (above Rockford Dam) Kent County | Kent | 42,438 | 5.6" |
| Apr 22, 2026 | Grand River Ottawa County | Ottawa | 89,908 total | 5.4" |
| Apr 22, 2026 | stocking event | 2,099 | 5.4" | |
| Apr 21, 2026 | stocking event | 58,537 | 5.4" | |
| Apr 21, 2026 | stocking event | 29,272 | 5.4" |
Showing the 25 most recent stocking events for Coho Salmon, across 10 lakes. Lakes with several events can be expanded.
Coho Salmon DNR Stocking History
Total stocked: 115,591,963
Stocking events: 2,074
Peak year: 1979 (7,923,295)
2,074
Historical stocking events
66
Lakes stocked
Mar
Next likely stocking window
Peak Stocking Months
Apr
May
Mar
Top Stocked Lakes
Forecast based on historical DNR stocking patterns. Not a guarantee of future stocking. Verify with the Michigan DNR.
Estimated Mature Coho Salmon, November
Based on DNR stocking records from 2022–2024 (2–4 years ago), these 15 lakes likely hold mature Coho Salmon at or near 15" keeper size today.
1
Platte River
~343,900
est. mature
→
2
Grand River
~99,200
est. mature
→
3
Grand River
~99,200
est. mature
→
4
Cheboygan harbor, Lake Huron
~89,200
est. mature
→
5
Saint Joseph River
~40,200
est. mature
→
6
Boardman River (below Union St. Dam)
~39,000
est. mature
→
7
Manistee River
~28,500
est. mature
→
8
Manistee River
~28,500
est. mature
→
9
Rogue River (above Rockford Dam)
~24,600
est. mature
→
10
Au Sable River
~22,900
est. mature
→
11
Au Sable River
~22,900
est. mature
→
12
Thunder Bay River
~21,900
est. mature
→
13
Thunder Bay River
~21,900
est. mature
→
14
Big Sable River (below Hamlin Lake)
~18,700
est. mature
→
15
Medusa Creek
~17,500
est. mature
→
Estimates based on average stocking-size survival rates. Actual populations vary by habitat, fishing pressure, and lake conditions. Data sourced from Michigan DNR.
Best Times to Fish Coho Salmon
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