When Is The Best Time To Go Salmon Fishing? A Complete Guide

Salmon fishing is a popular angling activity around the world. Many anglers eagerly await the annual salmon runs, when large numbers of fish migrate from the ocean into rivers to spawn. But when exactly is the best time to try your luck salmon fishing? In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about planning a salmon fishing trip during peak season

An Overview of Salmon Runs

Salmon are anadromous fish meaning they hatch in freshwater, migrate to the ocean to feed and grow, and then return to their natal rivers and streams to spawn. Most salmon species have predictable annual runs allowing anglers to pinpoint the optimal fishing times.

In general, here’s when most salmon runs occur:

• Spring: In some places, the first Coho and Chinook salmon runs happen in early spring. Some winter fish are still around in the spring, and early-run salmon are starting to show up.

• Summer – Summer kicks off peak salmon fishing season. Large numbers of salmon return to rivers during the warmer months. Chinook, sockeye, pink, chum, and coho salmon runs all occur in summer.

• Fall – Salmon runs continue into the fall. Late-run coho and Chinook salmon show up in the fall as they rush to get to spawning grounds before winter.

• Winter: Because of the ice, salmon fishing slows down in the winter, but there are still some chances to catch steelhead and trout.

Of course, the exact timing varies based on location, species, and other factors. Next, let’s look at some of the best times to target specific salmon species.

Targeting Different Salmon Species

To maximize your chances, it helps to know when each type of salmon runs in your area. Here’s a species-by-species look at the peak salmon fishing times:

Chinook Salmon

• Spring – May and June bring spring Chinook runs to some rivers. These are typically “winter run” fish that stayed in freshwater over winter before spawning.

• Summer – Summer Chinook runs occur June through August. The largest runs often happen in July as Chinook return to major river systems.

• Fall – Additional waves of Chinook, known as “fall run” salmon, migrate upstream in September, October and November.

Coho Salmon

• Early Summer – Some early-run coho will return as early as July. Look for them in coastal streams near the ocean.

• Fall – The peak coho salmon run happens August through October as fish swarm into rivers before winter. Late-run coho can run as late as December.

Sockeye Salmon

• Mid Summer – The peak sockeye salmon fishing is typically in July and August when millions flood into rivers like the Fraser, Columbia and Copper River.

• Fall – Some sockeye runs extend into September and October, although numbers decline from summer highs.

Pink Salmon

• Mid Summer – Abundant runs of pink salmon happen in July and August on their odd numbered spawning years (for instance, 2021, 2023).

• Fall – Pink salmon runs sometimes last into September depending on location.

Chum Salmon

• Summer – Chum salmon migrate upstream from June to August, with runs peaking mid-summer.

• Fall – Late-run chum salmon can be caught into October and November.

As you can see, there’s a lot of overlap between the species. June through October tends to offer the most diverse salmon fishing opportunities in most regions.

Regional Differences in Salmon Fishing Seasons

The salmon run timing varies across geographic areas based on factors like climate and the species present. Here’s a look at peak salmon fishing times in some of the top regions:

Alaska

Alaska offers legendary salmon fishing from May through September. Some highlights include:

• May/June – King salmon runs start first in Southeast Alaska in May. Fish the Situk and Stikine Rivers. In June, kings enter major rivers like the Copper River and Kenai River in Southcentral Alaska.

• June/July – Sockeye salmon runs hit full force starting in mid-June. The Susitna River sees an early June run while the Kenai and Russian Rivers get big July runs.

• July/August – Coho salmon runs get underway, especially on the coast and islands of Southeast Alaska. Pink salmon are also abundant throughout July and August.

• August/September – Fall silver salmon runs bring late-season action to Southcentral rivers like the Kenai and Russian.

Pacific Northwest

The Columbia River system, Puget Sound, and coastal streams offer great summer and fall salmon fishing:

• April – May – Spring Chinook salmon runs start in April on the Columbia River. The Cowlitz and Lewis Rivers also see spring kings.

• June – August – Peak summer Chinook, sockeye, pink, and chum salmon runs from June through August. Fish Columbia tributaries like the Okanogan, Yakima, and Snake Rivers. Also target Puget Sound.

• September – November – Fall Chinook and coho runs peak from September into November. Fish late-run hatchery kings on the Columbia and tribal fisheries on Puget Sound tributaries.

California and Oregon

• April/May – The Klamath River sees one of California’s earliest Chinook runs in spring along with some coastal streams. Spring-run kings also show on Oregon’s Umpqua, Rogue and McKenzie Rivers.

• September/October – Prime season for fall-run Chinook on the Sacramento River and its tributaries. The Klamath also gets a strong fall Chinook run. Target fall coho in Oregon and Northern California coastal rivers.

• October/November – Late-run kings enter in fall along with some late coho. Central Valley rivers like the American and Feather are good fall options.

British Columbia and Yukon

• May/June – Early summer Chinook and sockeye runs hit BC rivers like the Fraser, Skeena, and Nass. Yukon River kings arrive in June.

• July/August – Massive sockeye runs on the Fraser, Nass, and Skeena. Also abundant pink and chum salmon. Primary season on the Dean and Alsek Rivers.

• September/October – Late runs of coho and Chinook salmon. Fish famous rivers like the Copper, Bella Coola, Babine, and Dean.

Timing Your Trip Around Peak Fishing

As you can see, there’s a lot of variability in salmon run timing. Generally, mid-summer through early fall offers the most diverse opportunities and your best chance at hooking all species.

Here are some tips for planning your salmon fishing adventure during peak season:

• For the best action and biggest runs, target July – September.

• Look at historical run data for the river system and target the peak historical weeks.

• Book your