Snagging salmon is a controversial yet effective fishing technique used to target salmon particularly sockeye salmon during their migration runs. While prohibited in many areas, it persists as a way for anglers to quickly fill their limits when the fish aren’t biting.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about snagging salmon, from choosing the right equipment to mastering the snagging technique.
What is Salmon Snagging?
Snagging refers to catching salmon by intentionally fouling them with your hook Instead of enticing the fish to bite your baited hook, you aim to spear and impale the salmon with a weighted treble hook as they swim past.
The method relies on visibility and timing. Snaggers seek clear waters where they can spot salmon moving upstream to spawn When a fish is sighted, they jerk the rod tip to drive the bare hook into its flesh before reeling it in.
While some defend snagging as an efficient means of catching fish, most consider it unethical and unsporting since it requires little skill compared to proper angling techniques.
When to Go Snagging
The best times to snag salmon are during the summer and fall salmon runs before the peak of spawning season. This is when large numbers of fish migrate upstream into rivers to reach their natal spawning grounds.
Popular snagging spots include the mouths of tributaries where salmon congregate and logjams or bridges that funnel fish into a narrow zone. Check regulations in your area, as snagging is prohibited in many waters.
Snagging Equipment & Gear
Having the proper snagging setup is key to success. Here’s the gear you’ll need:
-
Rods: A stiff, fast action rod between 7-9 ft. with a heavy power rating. Go with strong fiberglass or graphite.
-
Reels: Opt for a high-speed baitcaster or spinning reel with a smooth drag system. Use braided line from 50-80 lb. test.
-
Hooks: Weighted treble hooks from 2/0 to 6/0 are standard. Some remove the bottom hook barb for easier release.
-
Sinkers: Sinkers help get your rig down fast. Use egg sinkers from 1/4 to 1 ounce based on current.
-
Bait: Many snaggers tip trebles with colorful plastic baits like shrimp or fish strips for visibility.
How to Snag Salmon: Step-By-Step
Once you have your snagging rod ready, follow these steps to snare a salmon:
-
Add Bait: Tip your weighted treble hook with a small piece of bait or bright attractor.
-
Cast: Aim your cast to intercept migrating salmon. Let the rig sink close to the bottom.
-
Spot Fish: Keep a sharp eye out for salmon swimming into the path of your gear. Tracking requires focus.
-
Time the Snag: When a fish approaches, quickly rip your rod tip 1-3 feet to spear it with the hook.
-
Set the Hook: Immediately after the snag, sweep your rod high and hard. Use heavy pressure to penetrate and secure the salmon.
-
Reel In: Once hooked, keep constant tension on the fish until you can lip or net it. Don’t give them slack!
-
Remove Hooks: Handle salmon carefully and use pliers to remove hooks. Try to avoid puncturing organs.
-
Revive Fish: Prior to release, hold fish facing upstream to oxygenate gills. Support body until they swim off strongly.
Snagging Safety & Ethical Concerns
While popular with some anglers, snagging raises ethical issues to consider:
-
Snagging can fatally injure fish. Deep hooking often damages internal organs.
-
It disturbs spawning fish and natural reproduction. Landed fish may be too stressed to spawn.
-
Veteran anglers view it as unethical, as it requires little skill compared to proper fishing methods.
-
Mortality rates for released fish are high. Many snagged fish end up dying even if returned to the water.
-
Accidental snagging of fellow anglers is a concern. Use caution when others are nearby.
Before snagging, check your local regulations. Many areas prohibit snagging due to its controversial nature. Only practice snagging where legal and follow all rules.
Tips for Beginners
For first-timers, it takes practice to master the snagging technique. Following these tips can help you snare your first salmon:
-
Start in shallow riffles to spot fish easily. You need visibility to succeed.
-
Use fluorescent orange or chartreuse hooks and bait for visibility. This helps tracking.
-
Aim trebles upward on the hookset to pierce the back and minimize organ damage.
-
Keep hooks razor sharp. Dull points won’t penetrate. Replace hooks frequently.
-
If snagging in a group, space out and avoid crossing paths to prevent tangles.
-
Use circle hooks and remove barbs if practicing catch-and-release to improve survival rates.
-
Bring needlenose pliers, wire cutters, and hook removers to properly unhook fish before release.
While a controversial technique, snagging allows anglers to easily fill their limits when salmon won’t cooperate by biting hooks. By following this guide, you’ll understand exactly how veteran snaggers consistently catch fish using this questionable method. However, before snagging, consider whether the practice aligns with your personal fishing ethics. When in doubt, stick to legal and sporting techniques that provide salmon a fair chance.
Hail to the King
Learn more about the production and release of Chinook or king salmon in the OutdoorIllinois Journal story Hail to The King.
Chinook salmon photo above by Ryan Hagerty, USFWS.
Nestled next to the heart of Chicago sits Lake Michigan, abundant with wildlife and aquatic species. Each fall the salmon migrate back to the shorelines looking for a place to spawn, destined to die soon after. The abundance of salmon in this section of Illinois means that the shorelines along Lake Michigan become flush with fisherman attempting success at landing a large fish. Snagging is allowed from October 1 to December 31 each year at four locations along the Illinois Lake Michigan shoreline. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) strictly regulates the practice, allowing it only in designated locations.
Native of the Pacific Ocean stretching from California to Alaska, the Chinook salmon, also known as the king salmon, and the smaller coho salmon are reared at Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery and stocked in three Illinois Lake Michigan harbors (Jackson Harbor, Diversey Harbor and Waukegan Harbor) each May. Both salmon species grow quickly after stocking and their diets consist largely of fish (mostly alewives). The state of Michigan originally introduced salmon to Lake Michigan back in the late 1960s to help control the alewife population and for sport fishing. Chinook salmon now reproduce naturally in cold water Michigan streams that feed Lake Michigan. They do not reproduce successfully in Illinois waters but do maintain strong homing instincts and return to Illinois harbors where they were stocked. After spending one to four summers growing out in the lake, mature salmon stop feeding and return mostly to the Illinois harbor where they were stocked to spawn, and then die. Snagging is permitted as a highly regulated fishing opportunity for shore anglers to harvest salmon that would otherwise end up dead at the bottom of the harbor.
Snagging is different from typical angling with lures or bait, and it has a unique approach. Snagging entails casting hooks in the water and swiftly jerking on the line in hopes of hooking into a fish. It involves heavy-duty rods out fitted with large treble hooks and strong line that could withstand the sudden tugs and resistance brought about by a large salmon. Because snagging does not depend upon the active taking of a bait by the fish, the hook is usually cast into a school of migrating salmon. The angler then performs a series of quick jerks to the line to set the hook, hopefully, into a salmon passing by. Snagging at night is often accompanied by lights or glowing lures. Snagging, though unconventional or even controversial in certain communities, is a completely legal and popular method in Illinois, particularly concerning the catching of Chinook and coho salmon during the fall spawning run.
According to rules in the State of Illinois that outline how and when fishing can be enjoyed, Administrative Rule 810.20, the following pertains to snagging:
- 4) Snagging for Chinook and coho salmon only is permitted from the following Lake Michigan shoreline areas from October 1 through December 31; however, no snagging is allowed at any time within 200 feet of a moored watercraft or as posted:
- A) Lincoln Park Lagoon from the Fullerton Avenue Bridge to the southern end of the Lagoon.
- B) Waukegan Harbor (in North Harbor basin only).
- C) Winnetka Power Plant discharge area.
- D) Jackson Harbor (Inner and Outer Harbors).
d) Disposition of Snagged Salmon (and Paddlefish). All snagged salmon (and paddlefish) must be removed from the area from which they are taken and disposed of properly, in accordance with Article 5, Section 5-5 of the Fish and Aquatic Life Code.
The Culture of Snagging Season
Chinook and coho salmon are pursued in the open lake from boats trolling flies and spoons throughout the late spring and summer and from shore during spring and fall when the water is cool. Charter operators are available at several Illinois harbors and will take you salmon fishing for a fee (see IFishIllinois). Large Chinook and coho salmon have been seen in the lake in recent years (the Illinois record Chinook salmon is 37 pounds, 0 ounces and the coho salmon records is 20 pounds, 9 ounces). These fish make great table fare, except very late in the spawning season when they are dying and turn dark.
Coho salmon photo above by Ryan Hagerty, USFWS.
The snagging season in Illinois is more than just a fishing experience; it’s a cultural event. Many anglers participate year after year, turning the short season into a time of camaraderie and shared excitement. The tradition remains strong in Illinois as new people discover the thrill of snagging, and the designated locations along Illinois’ Lake Michigan harbors have become gathering spots for local snaggers. For some, the appeal lies in the physicality of the activity and the chance to hook large, powerful fish. For others, it’s about the brief but intense window of opportunity to catch salmon during their spawning run, which makes the experience feel special and exclusive.
How to Snag Salmon Seward Alaska Setup. DIY
FAQ
How do you snag salmon?
Technique. After first casting a hook into the water, a snagger will wait until a fish is sighted, at which time they will reel in the hook until it is positioned above the fish. Once the fish is in line with the hook, the snagger then yanks on the line to “snag” the fish before attempting to reel it in.
What is the best hook for snagging salmon?
Octopus Hook – These are the standard “J” hooks that are most common in sockeye fishing, and most fishing around the world. These are great hooks to use for sockeye salmon, most typically in the #2 to 3/0 size range, 2/0 being my most common selection.
Why is snagging salmon illegal?
“People get frustrated because they can see the fish but they aren’t jumping around, so they resort to the illegal practices,” said Gunderson. Snagging violates the rules and ethics of sportsmanship by taking away the element of enticing fish to take the bait. The practice is also extremely harmful to fish.
What is the snagging technique?
Normal usage: catch your hook, lure, or line on something unintentionally, such as a rock or tree. A snag is something you might get hung on. Snagging as a method of catching fish is to try to set a hook into it without it biting or chasing it.
What is snagging salmon?
Snagging salmon is a practical method of catching the fish for food. Snagging is best accomplished in river systems, as the salmon gather in large numbers before the spawn. Snagging is not complicated, but the technique does require a methodical approach to maximize success. Snagging is illegal in some areas, and anglers must check the regulations.
How do you snagging a fish?
Weights: To ensure your lure sinks quickly to the bottom, you’ll need weights of varying sizes. Egg sinkers or pyramid sinkers are commonly used for snagging fish. Lures: There are many different types of lures that can be used for snagging fish, including treble hooks, spinners, and jigs.
What is the best snagging technique for catching sockeye salmon?
When you can’t use the Snagging Technique for catching Sockeye Salmon, the best approach is to: figure out the best weight to use so your line is barely holding bottom and hit the rocks. You can cast upstream at about 2 o’clock and let your hook sink and drift downstream.
What does snagging mean in fishing?
If you are new to fishing, you might be wondering what exactly is meant by “snagging.” Snagging refers to the act of catching fish by hooking them with a weighted treble hook. It is a popular technique used for Targeting salmon in particular. Before you head out to the waters, make sure you have the right equipment. Here’s a checklist:
Can you catch fish by snagging?
There are specific fish species that are allowed to be caught via snagging specifically during certain seasons throughout the year. For instance, during salmon season, you will find thousands of people lining along various rivers’ edges looking to score some catches. Other common fishing locations include dams where catfish abound.
Does snagging a fish work?
Snagging works well for larger fish, as they tend to swim slowly across the spawning areas creating high-density crowds and easy targets. Likewise, in slow-moving waters like rivers or at the mouths of tributaries and streams manifesting pre-spawn bass are easier to catch through snagging.