Salmon fishing is a popular angling pursuit across North America. Using trolling tactics is one of the most effective ways to catch salmon consistently. However, one key factor that can make or break your success is trolling at the right speed.
So how fast should you troll for salmon? The ideal trolling speed depends on several factors
- Type of salmon you’re targeting
- Trolling setup and gear
- Water conditions and weather
- Time of year
In this complete guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about selecting the optimal trolling speed for salmon. including
Ideal Speeds for Different Salmon Species
The ideal trolling speeds can vary quite a bit for different salmon species. Here are the recommended speeds for the most targeted salmon:
- Chinook (King) salmon: 2.0 – 3.0 mph
- Coho salmon: 3.0 – 5.5 mph
- Sockeye (Red) salmon: 2.0 – 3.0 mph
- Pink salmon: 2.0 – 3.0 mph
- Chum salmon: 2.5 – 3.5 mph
- Atlantic salmon: 1.5 – 2.5 mph
As you can see, coho salmon prefer much faster trolling speeds compared to king and other Pacific salmon. Adjusting your speed based on what salmon are in the water is key.
Trolling Speed by Setup
Your trolling setup and gear choice also affects the ideal speeds to use. Here are the recommended trolling speeds based on gear:
- Downriggers: 1.5 – 3.5 mph
- Dipsy divers: 2.5 – 3.0 mph
- Lead core lines: 1.0 – 2.0 mph
- Planer boards: 2.0 – 4.0 mph
Downriggers allow trolling at a wider range of speeds. Lead core lines need slower speeds. Planer boards allow faster trolling.
Consider Water and Weather Conditions
Water temperature, weather, and currents can all impact the ideal trolling speeds. Here are some general guidelines:
- Troll slower in cold water below 50°F.
- Increase speed in warmer water above 60°F.
- Reduce speed with strong winds and waves.
- Factor in currents – troll faster when going against a current.
Paying attention to conditions and adjusting accordingly is key.
Time of Year and Location
Salmon behavior changes over the course of the seasons. As a general rule:
- Early season salmon are less aggressive, suggesting slower trolling speeds.
- Late summer and fall salmon become more active, allowing faster trolling.
- Ocean salmon prefer slightly faster trolling vs. river salmon.
Vary Your Trolling Speed
It’s always a good idea to vary your trolling speed until you start getting consistent bites. Aggressively change speeds from slow to fast. Often a sudden change in speed triggers reaction bites from following salmon.
Use a GPS for Accuracy
Knowing your exact trolling speed is important. Use a GPS with speed over ground data for the most accuracy. Factor in currents when setting your boat speed.
Monitor Your Trolling Gear
Always watch your trolling gear and baits at various speeds. Make sure your flashers have a good spinning action and lures or bait run properly. Adjust speed accordingly.
Start With Recommended Speeds
Use the trolling speed recommendations above for each salmon species and gear type. Then fine tune based on conditions and salmon behavior.
Keep Detailed Records
Take notes on trolling speeds, locations, gear, and catches on each trip. Reviewing your records will reveal the best speeds to use year after year.
Talk to Local Anglers
Speaking with experienced local salmon anglers is one of the best ways to dial in your trolling. Find out what speeds produce for them on any given day or season.
Be Ready to Adapt
There is no universal trolling speed that always works best. You need to constantly adjust your speed and find what triggers salmon on a given day.
Use a Trolling Speed App
Apps like Speedthroughwater provide digital tachometers with speed over ground data when paired with a GPS. This takes the guesswork out of speed.
Mastering Trolling Speeds Takes Time
It takes seasons of trolling experience to fully learn how to adapt speeds quickly for all situations. But stick with it and you’ll gain that sixth sense.
Getting your trolling speed right when salmon fishing is an ongoing process. Start with the basics we covered here, but be ready to experiment and modify based on many factors. Mastering speed control will definitely help you catch more salmon.
How Fast Should You Troll for Kokanee at Different Times of the Year
Your presentation matters, and the trolling speed is vital to that. Some days the salmon might not be as picky on your exact speed, but kokanee can turn picky. This can also vary by the time of year. In my personal experience, Kokanee salmon trolling speed in the spring to early summer has been more successful at 1.5-1.8 mph. In the late summer and fall, I’ve had more success from 1.2-1.5 mph. Generally I start at 1.5 mph and adjust from there to see where I have the most success. Some don’t notice a difference at all.
Challenges of Going Too Slow Trolling for Kokanee
You certainly don’t want to be going too slow when trolling for kokanee. Speeds of slower than .8 mph do not produce the right action for lures or dodgers. They won’t attract kokanee like they’re designed to at the slower speeds. A lure like the wiggle hoochie or a spoon are designed to have some movement to them while trolling, as do sling blades and really most kokanee dodgers. Dodgers and sling blades move side to side, creating an attractive movement and sending vibrations and noises in the water that can attract the attention of fish, whereas flashers are supposed to go around in circles, sending light in all directions. Both require sufficient speed to produce the proper effect.
I’ve had most success with the pink sling blade that has its own action, and a pink, green, or orange hoochie that does not have any action. (See our Full Selection of Hoochies) Dodgers and Sling Blades designed specifically for Kokanee salmon make the proper movement at the proper speed, and the pink sling blade is one I usually start with when trolling for Kokanee. That doesn’t mean that’s what I stick with. I adapt my rig and experiment until I find what the fish are biting that day, but it’s my go to start.
Are YOU going the WRONG SPEED when Down Rigging for Chinook Salmon? Fox Fishing 4K Ultra HD
FAQ
How fast do you troll spoons for salmon?
The body of water dictates this I’ve found. Anywhere from 1.8 to 3 mph is the best.May 21, 2019
How fast to troll for coho salmon?
How fast should a king salmon troll?
But when you troll in the larger water body, 4 mph is the best speed for king salmon. You must notify the bait speed and increase or decrease the trolling speed, considering the bait speed is slow or fast. Again, if you find your bait is running naturally, it means you’re at the right trolling rate.
How fast should a salmon trolling speed be?
They are smaller than their seagoing relatives, and rarely reach sizes over 10 pounds. The ideal trolling speed for ocean salmon is 2.5 to 3.5 miles per hour. This is similar to the salmon trolling speed used in the great lakes, including Lake Ontario, and Lake Michigan.
Should you slow down when trolling salmon?
For example, if you’re trolling straight into a strong current, this will increase your trolling speed without affecting speed over ground. In that case you should slow down a little, but speed up if you’re trolling at a ninety degree angle to the current, or with the current. What speed for trolling salmon should you use with downriggers?
How to trolling for King Salmon?
However, trolling for king salmon requires much to learn before diving into it. There are several tricks to catch lots of salmon than to be frustrated. The key tricks are understanding the trolling speed, water temperature, best timing, perfect trolling terrain, lure depth, distance, and many more.
What is a good trolling speed for landlocked salmon?
The ideal trolling speed for landlocked salmon is 1.0 to 2.5 miles per hour, depending on the current and the lure that you’re using. The term landlocked salmon is most often used for either Atlantic or Kokanee salmon that are stocked in large lakes that have no connection to the ocean.
How fast should a trolling boat go?
It is best to go 1.5-2.5 miles per hour while trolling. While trolling, people can go up to 10 miles per hour or more, but those speeds are rarely necessary. Use a trolling speed indicator to monitor the speed of the boat at all times. The exact speed needed varies on the species of fish.