King salmon, also known as Chinook salmon are one of the most prized gamefish for anglers across North America. Growing up to 5 feet long and weighing over 100 pounds these powerful fish put up a tremendous fight and make for an exhilarating catch. In this comprehensive guide, I will cover everything you need to know about how to successfully fish for king salmon.
Best King Salmon Fishing Locations
King salmon can be found along the Pacific coast from California up to Alaska, as well as in the Great Lakes region. Some of the top spots anglers target them include:
- Alaska – Rivers like the Kenai, Kasilof, and Copper River hold enormous kings. The saltwater around Seward and Valdez is also excellent.
- British Columbia – The Campbell, Skeena, and Fraser Rivers all hold good numbers of king salmon.
- Washington – The Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Columbia River are prime king salmon fisheries.
- Oregon – Fall kings can be found in the lower Columbia River or the Sacramento River in California.
- Great Lakes – Lake Michigan, Huron, and Ontario offer king salmon fishing, primarily in the spring.
Best Seasons and Times to Catch King Salmon
- Spring – Target migrating king salmon in rivers and along the ocean as they return to spawn. Peak times are May and June.
- Summer – Ocean trolling for kings is best from June through August when they are feeding actively.
- Fall – Kings return to rivers in September through November to head upstream to spawn. Great time for river fishing.
Early morning and evening hours are most productive when salmon are actively feeding.
King Salmon Fishing Tackle and Gear
Having the right rod, reel, line and tackle makes landing a king more likely:
- Rods – A 7-9 foot medium-heavy power fast action rod. Go bigger for massive kings.
- Reels – Reliable saltwater baitcast or spinning reels with smooth drag.
- Line – 20-50 lb braided line offers strength and sensitivity for feeling bites. Use a 4-8 foot fluorocarbon leader.
- Terminal tackle – Strong treble hooks, barrel swivels, diving plugs and dodgers for trolling. Downriggers are useful.
- Bait/Lures – Whole herring, plug cut herring, anchovies, spoons, and diving plugs all catch kings.
- Gaff and Net – Essential for safely landing big king salmon.
Top King Salmon Fishing Techniques
Kings can be caught using a variety of techniques. Here are the most effective methods:
- Trolling – Dragging plugs, spoons or bait at 2-4 mph is deadly for kings in saltwater. Target structure and depth changes.
- Drift Fishing – Use a drift boat or anchor in rivers, allowing bait to drift naturally in the current.
- Mooching – Slowly drift bait on or near the bottom vertically jigging. Great for river mouths.
- Casting Lures – Cast spoons, spinners and plugs near river mouths and into bait balls. Reel fast.
- Jigging – Bounce large metal jigs off the bottom to provoke reaction bites from kings holding in channels.
Locating King Salmon Hotspots
King salmon often relate to structure and will hold in predictable areas Focus on these hotspots
- Channel drop-offs and holes
- Riprap banks and rocky outcroppings
- River and creek mouths
- Points, humps, and underwater shelves
- Kelp beds and bull kelp
- Tide rips and current seams
Also look for baitfish activity like balls of herring or anchovies. Kings will hunt these areas.
5 Pro Tips for Hooking More King Salmon
Follow these expert tips to up your odds of success:
- Use scent attractants like shrimp or anise oil on bait or lures.
- Try different depths and trolling speeds to trigger bites.
- Add a red or green glow hoochie 4-5 feet above your bait or lure.
- Use diving planers and downriggers to reach deeper holding kings.
- Keep bait lively using bait keepers and frequently re-bait hooks.
Best Lures, Bait & Tackle for King Salmon
- Lures – Brightly colored spoons, spinners, and plugs in pink, chartreuse, blue, orange. Vibrax and Pixee spoons excellent choices.
- Bait – Herring, anchovies, and salmon roe (eggs) very effective.
- Line – 20-50 lb braid with fluorocarbon leader. Mono also works well.
- Rods – Medium-heavy, 7-9 foot fast action rods rated for saltwater.
- Reels – Reliable baitcast or spinning reels with smooth drag systems.
Matching your tackle to the size of the salmon is key. Heavier line, rods and lures needed for big kings.
Top King Salmon Fishing Techniques
- Trolling – Most effective technique to cover water and find active fish. Target structure.
- Drift Fishing – Excellent for rivers. Allow bait/lures to drift naturally in current.
- Casting Lures – Toss spoons, spinners and plugs near river mouths and baitfish.
- Jigging – Bounce heavy jigs off the bottom in channels and holes.
- Still Fishing – Anchor and fish bait off the bottom for river and inlet kings.
Trolling catches the most fish but all techniques can be productive. Mix it up until you find what works.
King Salmon Fishing Tips and Strategies
- Fish early and late when salmon are actively feeding.
- Add scents like anise oil or shrimp oil to your bait/lures.
- Try different trolling speeds from 2-4 mph to trigger bites.
- Use clean gear and gloves to minimize unnatural odors.
- Target structure like drop-offs, creek mouths and kelp beds.
- Keep bait lively using aerators and frequently re-bait hooks.
- Change depths and trolling patterns until you locate fish.
Following these tips will help you hook more king salmon!
Next time you hit the water, use these king salmon fishing tips to find, hook, and land the fish of a lifetime. Just remember to be prepared with the proper gear, be patient, experiment, and fish those high-percentage spots and you’ll gain the knowledge needed to consistently catch more king salmon.
Step 3: Release Your Bait
When you first drop your bait, make sure it is spinning in a way that resembles a real anchovy. Keep your flash and weight clear and untangled. We had three people on the boat, so for one pole we measured out 30 counts of line, then 40, and then 50 counts of line. Then put the pole in a placer holder and go eat a sandwich or take a nap if someone is up to drive the boat and keep an eye on the pole. Troll slowly, about 2-4 mph.
Step 2: Add Sinker and Silver Dodger
Look around for flocks of seabirds diving a spot. This means bait fish are in the water, and salmon will be hunting these as well. You can also spy on your neighboring boats and see whos catching fish and go troll by them. (You can tell when they have a fish on, as the boat starts to turn in a circle, and someone goes for the net). When you find the place you want to fish, prepare the gear by attaching the baited hook, a silver dodger and sinker.
Meat Rig Fishing Tips For Catching Great Lakes King Salmon
FAQ
What is the best bait for king salmon?
Kings are notoriously light biters, so if your fly stops, set the hook and hold on! Spinning/Casting: Use large, bright lures (Vibrax size 5-6, Pixies, in pink, orange, chartreuse, blue, etc). For bait, you can use herring (near salt water) or salmon roe (all situations).
How do you fish for king salmon?
King salmon can be caught by drift fishing, jigging, still fishing, and trolling. Fly fishing can also be effective, but anglers should be careful not to swing too far. Trolling and rigging works well when fishing for king salmon in lakes.
Where is the best place to fish for king salmon?
Some of the best places to fish for King Salmon are at the mouths and tidal waters of many major rivers such as the Alagnak, Susitna, Kenai, Nushagak, Copper, and the Stikine. For freshwater fishing, all of these rivers and many of their smaller tributaries make outstanding locations to catch king salmon.
What month is best for king salmon fishing?
April through June, with peak avail- ability in June. Immature (‘feeder’) kings from 10 to 30 pounds are present year-round, but fishing is best from May to mid-August, when king salmon migrate through area waters to spawn in mainland streams.