Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch
Also known as Salmon, Silver salmon, Medium red salmon, Hoopid salmon, White salmon
Culinary Profile
Smaller coho have a delicate flavor. Fillets from larger fish have a mild taste.
Coho has a high oil content and appears soft when raw, but becomes firm and flaky when cooked.
Coho salmon is low in sodium and a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, niacin, vitamin B12, and selenium.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Commonly called silver salmon, coho have dark metallic blue or greenish backs with silver sides and a light belly. While they are in the ocean, they have small black spots on their back and on the upper lobe of the tail. The gumline in the lower jaw has lighter pigment than on Chinook salmon. In fresh water, spawning coho are dark with reddish-maroon coloration on the sides.
Biology
Coho salmon are anadromous—they hatch in freshwater streams and spend a year in streams and rivers then migrate out to the saltwater environment of the ocean to feed and grow. Some stocks of coho salmon migrate more than 1,000 miles in the ocean, while other stocks remain in marine areas close to the streams where they were born.
Where They Live
Range Coho salmon are found throughout the North Pacific Ocean and in most coastal streams and rivers from Alaska to central California. In North America, they're most abundant in coastal areas from southeast Alaska to central Oregon. Coho salmon have also been introduced in all the Great Lakes, as well as many other landlocked reservoirs throughout the United States.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Fresh mainly in summer through late fall and frozen year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught mainly from Alaska with smaller amounts from Washington and Oregon.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In 2023, commercial landings of coho salmon totaled 16 million pounds and were valued at $16.6 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Most of the U.S. coho salmon harvest comes from Alaska (over 90%) with smaller percentages from Washington and Oregon. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Coho salmon are mainly harvested in commercial troll fisheries in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Troll vessels catch salmon by "trolling" their lines with bait or lures through groups of feeding fish. To retrieve hooked fish, the lines are wound on spools by hand or hydraulically, and the fish are gaffed when alongside the vessel. The troll fishery produces low-volume, high-quality product.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 65 Species
Where Coho Salmon ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choline | 109.4 mg | 1 / 65 | 98% |
| Phosphorus | 262 mg | 8 / 111 | 93% |
| Protein | 21.62 g | 12 / 111 | 89% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 656 mg | 12 / 104 | 88% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 429 mg | 13 / 104 | 88% |
| Vitamin D | 9 IU | 14 / 54 | 74% |
| Vitamin B12 | 4.17 µg | 22 / 106 | 79% |
| Selenium | 36.5 µg | 32 / 106 | 70% |
| Iron | 0.56 mg | 60 / 111 | 46% |
| Zinc | 0.41 mg | 80 / 111 | 28% |
Other Species in Genus Oncorhynchus
4 close biological relatives of Coho Salmon profiled in this catalogue — typically sharing similar anatomy, depth range, and fishery management.
| Species | Scientific name | Protein (g/100 g) | Omega-3 DHA (mg) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook Salmon | Oncorhynchus tshawytscha | 19.93 | 944 | Smart Choice |
| Chum Salmon | Oncorhynchus keta | 20.14 | 394 | Smart Choice |
| Pink Salmon | Oncorhynchus gorbuscha | 20.5 | 333 | Smart Choice |
| Sockeye Salmon | Oncorhynchus nerka | 22.25 | 471 | Smart Choice |
Other Alaska Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Coho Salmon.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Bocaccio
Sebastes paucispinis
Delicate, nutty, sweet flavor.
Canary Rockfish
Sebastes pinniger
Delicate, nutty, sweet flavor.
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Chinook salmon has a pronounced buttery, rich taste. They are the most highly prized salmon in the culinary world.
Chum Salmon
Oncorhynchus keta
Chum salmon has a lower oil content than other wild salmon, so it has a relatively mild flavor.
Dover Sole
Microstomus pacificus
Mild and sweet.
English Sole
Parophrys vetulus
Mild taste with a slight shellfish flavor.
Flathead Sole
Hippoglossoides elassodon
Mild and delicate flavor.
Geoduck
Panopea generosa
The neck is tough and crunchy, while the belly meat is tender and sweet.
Pacific Cod
Gadus macrocephalus
Pacific cod is a mild-tasting fish.
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of Coho Salmon, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Pollock has mild-tasting flesh and is similar to other white fish like cod or haddock.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much protein is in 100 g of Coho Salmon?
A 100 g raw serving of Coho Salmon provides 21.62 g of protein — roughly 43% of the FDA 50 g daily value.
How much Coho Salmon is caught commercially?
Commercial fishery: In 2023, commercial landings of coho salmon totaled 16 million pounds and were valued at $16.6 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Most of the U.S. coho salmon harvest comes from Alaska (over 90%) with smaller percentages from Washington and Oregon.
Is Coho Salmon a good source of vitamin B12?
Yes — Coho Salmon provides 4.17 µg of vitamin B12 per 100 g raw, which is 174% of the 2.4 µg daily value.
How does Coho Salmon reproduce?
Coho salmon are anadromous—they hatch in freshwater streams and spend a year in streams and rivers then migrate out to the saltwater environment of the ocean to feed and grow. Some stocks of coho salmon migrate more than 1,000 miles in the ocean, while other stocks remain in marine areas close to the streams where they were born.
Where in the water column does Coho Salmon live?
Range Coho salmon are found throughout the North Pacific Ocean and in most coastal streams and rivers from Alaska to central California. In North America, they're most abundant in coastal areas from southeast Alaska to central Oregon. Coho salmon have also been introduced in all the Great Lakes, as well as many other landlocked reservoirs throughout the United States.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught coho salmon is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
There are numerous stocks of Coho salmon. Alaska: There are more than 20 different stocks of coho salmon. Alaskan populations of coho salmon are near or above target population levels. The Alaska Coho Salmon Assemblage consists of coho salmon, sockeye salmon, pink salmon, and chum salmon throughout southeast Alaska.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Fishery Management Council manage coho salmon on the West Coast. Managed under the Pacific Coast Salmon Plan : Every year, the council reviews reports of the previous fishing season and current estimates of salmon abundance. Using this information, they make recommendations for management of the upcoming fishing season.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 21 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.