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Salmon is a very popular and sought-after fish for its taste and nutritional value. It is challenging to catch as it is a fast and powerful fish. There are several species of salmon, namely chinook, coho, sockeye, pink salmon, and chum salmon. To catch salmon, you have to learn their habits, develop your fishing skills, be patient, and have the right setup. In this article, we will discuss how to catch salmon to help you be more successful when fishing for this tasty fish.
Table of Contents
- 1 Salmon Species
- 2 How To Catch Salmon
- 3 How To Catch Salmon In A River
- 4 How To Catch Salmon In Alaska
- 5 How To Catch Salmon From Shore
- 6 How To Catch Salmon On Lake Michigan
- 7 How To Catch Salmon On Lake Oahe
- 8 How To Catch Salmon Off The Pier
- 9 How To Catch Salmon In Maine
- 10 Salmon Fishing Tips
- 11 How To Catch Salmon In A River
- 12 Salmon Fishing For Beginners
- 13 How To Catch Salmon From The Shore
- 14 Best Bait & Lures For Salmon
- 15 How To Catch Salmon In The Ocean
- 16 Salmon Fishing Setup
- 17 The Bottom Line
Salmon Species
1. Chinook Salmon
The Chinook salmon is the largest salmon on the West Coast and is called the “king salmon.” They can sometimes grow more than 40 pounds. Most Chinook spawns in gravel beds and can be found in medium-sized or larger waters. They can be found in Alaska, western Canada, Oregon, Idaho, Washington State, and northern California.
2. Coho Salmon
Coho is a popular gamefish that is common in coastal streams. They usually migrate into upper watersheds and smaller tributaries to spawn. Coho is also known for its ability to jump and likes jumping on the end of a line. Coho is found in Alaska, down to California, the Great Lakes, along the Pacific coast, and in Maine, Maryland, and Louisiana.
3. Sockeye Salmon
Sockeye is what many know as salmon. They are smaller than chinooks and coho. They can be found in northern Oregon, California, and Alaska. Sockeye has a smaller form called kokanee which is similar in size to most trout. They usually spawn in mountain lakes and large rivers.
4. Pink Salmon
Pink salmon are not as large as chinook or coho, yet will put up a good fight. They can be found in Alaska, Washington, California, and Canada. This makes the feature a humpback during the spawning season.
5. Chum Salmon
Chum are found in northern Oregon up to Alaska. Chum are bigger than sockeye and pink salmon but are about the same length as coho. Chum features canine-like teeth during the spawn. Chum are not the tastiest salmon and are often fed to working dogs. Chum will put up a good fight therefore be ready for a fight. They spawn in many areas that the other salmon species spawn in, but they like to stick closer to the ocean in low-gradient rivers and streams.
How To Catch Salmon
1. Drift Fishing
Drift fishing is one of the popular fishing techniques used by anglers to fish for salmon. When drift fishing, you cast your line upstream and let it drift down through the run. As it is drifting downward, you begin to slowly reel in the line. If you don’t get a strike, the process is repeated until you get strikes. Drift fishing is usually done on land like on the shore.
With drift fishing, you want to weigh your setup so it bounces along the bottom at the speed at which the current is moving. When drift fishing, you want to cover from the shore closest to you to the shore that is the furthest from you. Also, from the upstream end of the run to the downstream end of the run.
An 8 1/2- or 9-foot rod rated for a 15-30-pound line with a baitcasting reel or a spinning reel will work for drift fishing. Use a 20-25 pound line for larger fish like Chinook salmon. Use a 10-15 pound line for smaller fish like pink salmon.
2. Trolling
When you fish from a boat, you can implement the trolling fishing technique. To implement trolling, the boat has to be constantly moving, either upstream or downstream. When salmon move with the current of a river or stream, trolling is effective in catching them. There are three main boating techniques when trolling. They are diver trolling, down rigger trolling, and motor mooching.
3. Plunking
Plunking is similar to drift fishing with the exception that your line is cast into an area or migratory path and allowed to anchor in one spot. Plunking can be done from the shore or on an anchored boat and is a good fishing technique for beginners. The line is kept in the spot until it gets a strike or you make a setup change.
4. Bobber or Float Fishing
When water is moving very slowly or it is stationary, then bobber or float fishing is ideal. You can use rods that are 10 to 12 feet in length for float fishing. Additionally, spectra lines are ideal as they don’t stretch and they float. Use a sliding float, a swivel, and some weight to pull the line through the float. Also, use a 12-24 inches leader to bait or lure. You can use a “bobber stop” and small beads are used to set the float at the depth at which you want to fish for salmon.
How To Catch Salmon In A River
When fishing for salmon in a river, one of the fishing methods often used by anglers is drift fishing. The version of drift fishing involves casting the bait upstream and letting it drift down through the run, once it comes through the run without any fish, you repeat the process.
When drift fishing, divide the water into three parts and cover each side to find the best area to target for salmon. Plunking is another fishing method used when fishing for salmon.
Plunking is similar to still fishing. When plunking, you cast your bait into an area that you think has salmon and wait until there is a strike.
Bobber or float fishing is used in slow-moving water or slack water. Bobber or float fishing is effective when you are fishing tidewaters and big eddies. Trolling allows you to cover a lot of water at different depths. Trolling involves moving the boat slowly as the bait moves through the water at the back. Live bait and lures such as spoons and spinners can be used when fishing for salmon.
How To Catch Salmon In Alaska
Fishing for salmon in Alaska depends on the type of salmon you want to catch. Fly fishing, trolling, drift fishing, plunking, and float fishing are methods used when fishing for salmon in Alaska. For Chinook, fly fishing and bottom are some of the methods used to catch them.
If you are fishing for sockeye salmon, the commonly used fishing method is “flossing”. To implement “flossing”, drop the line close to the bottom of the river and let it float with the current. When sockeye bites the bait, set the hook, and reel it in.
Pink, Chum, and Coho salmon, will be found in clear waters. Casting is one of the fishing methods used when fishing for these salmon and looking for structures like rocks, fallen trees, logs, wrecks, and jetties.
How To Catch Salmon From Shore
When fishing for salmon from the shore, drift fishing is the popular fishing method that anglers use. When drift fishing, you cast your bait upstream and allow it to drift down with the water current. If it comes out without any fish, you repeat the process.
Natural bait and lures are used when fishing for salmon from the shore. Study the area you are fishing from the shore to determine deep pockets.
One way is to study the contour maps of the water if you can find them online or using Google Earth or the other way is to cast your bait into different parts of the water and count to determine how long it takes to hit the bottom. Once you find the deep areas of the water from the shore, target those areas to fish for salmon.
Another fishing technique that is effective when fishing from the shore is to use a bobber. Use a bobber to float salmon roe. This technique is very effective when fishing for salmon and the best time to implement it is when salmon start swimming upstream to spawn towards the end of summer.
How To Catch Salmon On Lake Michigan
Many anglers have fishing for salmon on Lake Michigan on their bucket list. There are two types of salmon on Lake Michigan. They are Chinook and Coho salmon. Fishing for salmon on Lake Michigan can be done from a boat or the shore. Trolling, spinning, and casting are fishing methods that can be used when fishing for salmon on Lake Michigan.
During the summer salmon are in abundance and they move to deeper and cooler parts of Lake Michigan. Trolling using multiple lines at different depths allows you to target salmon in different water columns. Additionally, during spring, the piers, jetties, and harbors will have many salmon. Alewife and spoons work well when fishing for salmon on Lake Michigan.
How To Catch Salmon On Lake Oahe
When fishing for salmon on Lake Oahe, target salmon in water depths from 50 to more than 100 feet. Use downriggers or side planners when fishing for salmon. Bait and lures such as squid, spoons, crankbaits, deep diving plugs, and flashers are used.
How To Catch Salmon Off The Pier
During spring and summer, salmon will be abundant around piers and jetties, wrecks, logs, and other structures. Bait is the best when fishing from the pier but lures can also be used. Casting, jigging, chumming, and still fishing can be used to catch salmon from the pier.
How To Catch Salmon In Maine
When fishing for salmon in Maine, trolling is often the preferred fishing method when salmon is deep in the water column. You can troll for salmon with lures even though bait will also work. Casting can also be used to catch salmon.
Salmon Fishing Tips
1. Salmon are born in freshwater rivers and streams but move to the ocean where they live most of the time.
2. To prepare for spawning, salmon will return to freshwater rivers and streams.
3. Drift fishing is one technique used to catch salmon.
4. Trolling can also be used to fish for salmon when fishing from a boat.
5. Plunking can also be used to fish for salmon.
6. Keep your hooks sharp. Catching a salmon will be difficult if your hooks are dull because salmons have a thick and tough jawline.
7. Salmon prefer low-lighting conditions, therefore your bait should have something flashy to attract salmon that is in deeper and darker waters.
8. Use a red line. Color disappears the deeper it goes under water and the color red disappears in water at 15 feet deep. This feature of the color red makes it ideal for fishing as the red fishing line will appear invisible to fish at deeper depths and your bait will appear more lively. It must be noted that only sockeye salmon can see red.
9. Overcast days are the best days to go fishing for salmon as they like low-lighting conditions. Besides overcast days, dawn and dusk are the other best times to fish for salmon.
10. Peak fishing times are one hour before or after high or low tide.
11. The best bait for salmon fishing is roe (fish eggs).
12. Besides your regular permit to fish, you will also need an additional permit to legally fish for salmon.
13. Salmon is most active early in the morning or evening hours. Therefore, fish for salmon during these times for best results.
How To Catch Salmon In A River
1. Drift Fishing
Use the drift fishing technique when you are fishing for salmon on a river. With drift fishing, you cast your line upstream and let it drift downward. You slowly reel it in as it drifts downward. if you get no strike, you repeat the process until you get strikes.
2. Bobber or Float Fishing
If you are on a boat and the water is calm, you can use the bobber or float fishing technique to fish for salmon. Use rods that are 10 to 12 feet in length for float fishing. Also, spectra lines are good for salmon fishing as they don’t stretch and they float.
Use a sliding float, a swivel, and some weight to pull the line through the float. Also, use a 12-24 inches leader to bait or lure. You can use a “bobber stop” and a small bead are used to set the float at the depth at which you want to fish for salmon.
Salmon Fishing For Beginners
1. Drift Fishing
As a beginner salmon angler, drift fishing is one of the techniques that can be used to catch salmon. It is mostly done on land and carried out by casting your line upstream and allowing it to freely drift downward. As your line is drifting, you slowly reel it in.
This process is repeated until you are successful in getting a strike from a salmon. Drifting is good for beginners as it is easy to implement and after you gain some experience, you can move on to other salmon fishing methods.
2. Trolling
Another way to fish for salmon when you are a beginner is to use the technique called trolling. When fishing for salmon on a boat, you can move the boat up and downstream instead of keeping it in one location.
Trolling can help you catch salmon as usually moves with the current of a river or stream instead of staying stationary. When trolling, three main boating techniques can be used to fish for salmon. They are diver trolling, down rigger trolling, and motor mooching.
3. Plunking
Plunking is similar to drift fishing but instead of casting the line over a wide area, you cast your line in one area that may be known to inhabit salmon or cast it in a migratory path. You wait for salmon to strike once the line is cast or reel it in to change the setup. Plunking can be done from the shore or an anchored boat.
How To Catch Salmon From The Shore
1. Drift Fishing
When you fish from the shore, you can use the drift fishing technique. This fishing technique involves casting your line upstream and letting it drift with the current downward. As your line drifts, you slowly reel it in anticipating a strike. If you get a strike, you reel it in. If you don’t get a strike, you repeat the technique until you get strikes.
2. Plunking
Plunking is another fishing technique used to catch salmon. Plunking is very similar to drifting except that your line is stationary in one location or migratory path. It is not drifting with the current. The line remains in the same spot until a strike is registered or you change the setup.
Best Bait & Lures For Salmon
1. Salmon Eggs (Roe)
Salmon eggs, also known as roe, are a classic and highly effective bait for salmon fishing. These eggs are harvested from spawning salmon and are a natural and irresistible food source for other salmon. Anglers often use cured or fresh salmon eggs as bait, either threaded onto hooks individually or clustered together to form egg sacs.
The bright color and scent of salmon eggs attract salmon from a distance, making them an excellent choice for both still fishing and drift fishing techniques. Whether fishing in rivers, streams, or lakes, salmon eggs can be used to target various species of salmon, including Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye.
Additionally, anglers may enhance the effectiveness of salmon eggs by adding scents or dyes to further entice strikes. Overall, salmon eggs are a versatile and reliable bait option cherished by anglers seeking a successful salmon fishing experience.
2. Cut Bait
Cut bait, such as herring, anchovies, or sardines, can be an effective and versatile bait option for salmon fishing. Anglers often use fresh or frozen cut bait to target salmon species like Chinook, Coho, and Pink salmon. The oily and flavorful flesh of these baitfish releases scent and attracts salmon, enticing them to strike.
Anglers typically cut the bait into chunks or strips and then thread them onto hooks, allowing the scent to disperse in the water and draw in curious salmon. Cut bait can be employed in various fishing techniques, including trolling, drift fishing, and bottom fishing, making it suitable for different fishing environments such as rivers, lakes, and saltwater coastal areas. By presenting natural and enticing bait, anglers increase their chances of enticing a hungry salmon to bite, leading to a rewarding fishing experience.
3. Spinners
Spinners are popular lures among anglers targeting salmon due to their versatility and effectiveness. These lures consist of a metal blade that spins around a shaft, creating flashes and vibrations in the water, mimicking the movement of a small fish or prey.
When retrieved through the water, spinners emit vibrations and flashes that attract salmon, enticing them to strike. Anglers can vary the speed of retrieval to adjust the depth and action of the spinner, making it suitable for different fishing conditions and salmon species.
Additionally, spinners come in various sizes, colors, and blade designs, allowing anglers to match the lure to the prevailing conditions and preferences of the fish. Whether cast from shore or trolled behind a boat, spinners are a reliable choice for salmon fishing and can produce exciting strikes from these prized game fish.
4. Winged Bobbers
Winged bobbers, also known as planer boards, are not typically used as lures for salmon fishing but rather as a tool to spread out lines and cover more water when trolling. These specialized devices consist of a buoyant board with wings that plane out to the sides when pulled through the water, allowing anglers to deploy multiple lines at varying distances from the boat without tangling.
While the primary purpose of winged bobbers is not to attract fish, they can indirectly contribute to successful salmon fishing by presenting baits or lures at different depths and distances from the boat, increasing the chances of encountering feeding salmon. Additionally, the use of winged bobbers enables anglers to cover expansive areas of water efficiently, maximizing their chances of hooking into salmon during trolling excursions.
5. Kiwifish or Flatfish Lures
Using kiwifish or flatfish lures for salmon fishing can be highly effective, especially in rivers and streams where salmon are actively feeding. These lures are designed to mimic the appearance and movement of baitfish, making them enticing to predatory salmon.
Kiwifish and flatfish lures typically feature a slender, elongated body with a curved shape and vibrant color patterns to attract the attention of salmon. Anglers often employ a variety of retrieval techniques, such as casting and retrieving or trolling, to present these lures to salmon in different water conditions.
The erratic wobbling action of kiwifish and flatfish lures can trigger aggressive strikes from salmon, making them a popular choice among anglers targeting these prized game fish. Additionally, the versatility of these lures allows anglers to target salmon in various depths and locations, from shallow river pools to deeper offshore waters, providing a reliable option for anglers pursuing salmon in diverse environments.
How To Catch Salmon In The Ocean
1. Trolling
You can use the trolling fishing technique when you fish from the ocean. With trolling, the boat is always moving upstream or downstream. As the salmon move with the current, it is ideal to use trolling to catch salmon. There are three main boating techniques when trolling. They are diver trolling, down rigger trolling, and motor mooching.
2. Plunking
Plunking can also be used to catch salmon in the ocean. When you are in a boat, you can implement plunking by keeping the line in one area or migratory path and allowing it to anchor in one spot. It is kept in the same area until you get a strike. Plunking is similar to drift fishing except that the line is not moving with the current.
3. Bobber or Float Fishing
The bobber of float fishing technique can also be used to fish on the ocean. When the water is barely moving or stationary, this fishing technique can be used. Use rods that are 10 to 12 feet in length for float fishing. Additionally, spectra lines are ideal as they don’t stretch and they float.
Use a sliding float, a swivel, and some weight to pull the line through the float. Also, use a 12-24 inches leader to bait or lure. You can use a “bobber stop” and a small bead are used to set the float at the depth at which you want to fish for salmon.
Salmon Fishing Setup
1. Drift Fishing
Drift fishing gear includes an 8 1/2- or 9-foot rod rated for a 15-30-pound line with a baitcasting reel or a spinning reel. Use a 20-25 pound line for larger fish like Chinook. For smaller fish like pink salmon, use a 10-15 pound line.
A standard setup for salmon usually consists of a snap swivel at the end of the mainline, a leader from 12-48 inches to a single hook with an egg loop, a corky on the line above the hook, and yarn on the hook.
2. Plunking
For plunking, use an 8 1/2- to 9-foot extra-heavy rod. The main line should be 40-60 pound monofilament or spectra.
3. Trolling
Use the standard drift fishing rod with a 20-25 pound line. Additionally, use a three-way swivel at the end of the mainline, a 12-36 inches dropper line and weight off the center of the three-way swivel, and a 4-8 feet foot leader with twin hooks.
4. Bobber or Float Fishing
Use rods of 10-12 inches for float fishing. Use spectra lines as they don’t stretch and they float. Use a sliding float, a swivel, some weight to pull the line through the float, and a 12 to 24-inch leader to a bait or lure.
The Bottom Line
Salmon is a fast and powerful fish. These attributes make it challenging to catch. However, with patience and using the right fishing technique, you can be successful in fishing for salmon. In this article, we discussed the techniques you can use to successfully catch salmon.
If you also fish for walleye, then you can read the walleye fishing tips to learn more tips on how to catch walleye. You can also read how to catch croaker, how to catch whiting, how to catch tautog, how to catch snook, how to catch Artic Char, how to catch Atlantic salmon, and how to catch spotted seatrout.