The Chinook are characterized by bold round spots on the back and the entire tail as well as a black gum line inside the mouth. Trophy fish of 30-60lbs are surprising common in our waters from March through November. A few over 70lbs are taken every year. From October into May, fishing is very hot for immature feeder Chinook of 5-25lbs.
Chinook tend to feed near steep shorelines and drop offs, typically near the bottom.
Most are caught on slow trolled or mooched cut plug herring, but large plugs trolled on downriggers can be excellent. The Coho averages 3-20lbs in June through September. After more weeks of feeding, they can weigh 10-25lbs by late August and September. Coho are distinguished from Chinook by round dorsal spotting that extends onto the upper half of the tail only, and a whitish, rather than dark, gum line. They also differ in their fight, being fast, wildly erratic leapers that often jump high on one side of the boat then, while the surprised angler is still trying to reel in slack line to keep up, come rocketing out of the water on the other side.