Coho Salmon

Peak Season: July through September

Wild Alaska coho salmon are the most versatile salmon species. They’re mild and easy to use in a host of different preparations and styles. In July, at the beginning of Southeast Alaska’s salmon season, 4- and 5-pound coho dominate the fishery: these smaller fish, with their smaller flakes and delicate texture, resemble a full-bodied trout almost as much as salmon. By August and September, several months of feeding in the rich waters of Southeast Alaska produce 8-, 10-, and even 15-pound fish. These larger late-season coho reflect many of the culinary qualities of king salmon, producing big, meaty fillets that are perfect for grilling, roasting and slow-roasting, poaching, or curing.