Salmon fishing works differently depending on where the fish are in their life cycle and where you are fishing

Salmon move between ocean and river, and where you find them changes what you do. In the ocean, they school in deeper water and respond to trolling and casting into current breaks. In rivers, they hold in specific pools and runs, moving upstream toward spawning grounds. The method that works in salt water — trolling a spoon behind a boat — will not work in a river canyon. The timing matters just as much: salmon runs follow a calendar, and knowing when they enter your local river or coast is the difference between a full day and an empty one.

This guide covers the main ways people fish for salmon, where each method works best, and how to read the conditions that tell you salmon are present and feeding.

Key Takeaways

  • Salmon fishing divides into ocean methods (trolling, mooching, casting) and river methods (drift fishing, swinging, holding water), and the fish respond differently in each environment.
  • Timing depends on the specific run — spring, summer, or fall — and your region, so checking your local fishery calendar before you go is essential.
  • Salmon hold in predictable places: current seams in rivers, drop-offs and structure in salt water, and deeper pools during low water.
  • Live bait, roe, and spoons work across most salmon fisheries, but the size and color change based on water clarity and season.
  • A fishing license and knowledge of your local regulations — including which rivers are open, which are catch-and-release, and which have harvest limits — are required before you fish.

Ocean salmon: trolling, mooching, and casting from shore

Ocean salmon fishing happens from boats or from rocky shores and piers. The most common boat method is trolling — running a spoon or plug behind the boat at 2 to 4 knots, covering water until you find fish. Spoons work because they flash and wobble like an injured baitfish. You troll along drop-offs, kelp edges, and current breaks where salmon hunt. The depth changes by season and location: in spring, salmon often hold shallower; in summer, they move deeper to find cooler water.

Mooching is fishing live or dead baitfish on a short line from an anchored or slowly drifting boat. You use a herring or anchovy on a two-hook rig, bouncing it near the bottom or at mid-depth depending on where the sounder shows fish. This method works well when you have found a concentration of salmon and want to stay in one area rather than cover ground.

From shore, you cast spoons, plugs, or soft plastics into current breaks, around pilings, and along rocky points. The cast-and-retrieve method works best where current funnels salmon into narrow channels — river mouths, tide rips, and rocky headlands. You are looking for places where salmon must pass through or where they rest between tidal pushes.

River salmon: drift fishing and holding water

Drift fishing is the most common river method. You float a bait rig — usually roe, a small spoon, or a soft plastic — downstream with the current, keeping it near the bottom where salmon rest. The rig drifts through pools and runs, and you feel for the take. This works in medium-depth water with steady current. You cast upstream and let the current carry the rig down, mending line to keep it in the zone.

Swinging

Holding water

Bait, lures, and what salmon actually eat

Salmon eat different things depending on where they are. In the ocean, they hunt small fish — herring, anchovies, sand eels — and will take spoons and plugs that imitate them. In rivers, they stop feeding actively once they enter fresh water, but they still strike at roe (salmon eggs), small spoons, and flies out of aggression or habit.

Roe — salmon eggs in a mesh bag or loose in a roe holder — is the most effective river bait. Use fresh roe from the same species you are targeting when possible. The scent disperses downstream and draws salmon from a distance. Roe works in all water conditions and all seasons.

Spoons work in both ocean and river. In the ocean, use larger spoons (1 to 2 ounces) in silver, gold, or copper. In rivers, use smaller spoons (1/4 to 1/2 ounce) and adjust the color to water clarity: bright silver in clear water, chartreuse or orange in stained water. Spoons trigger strikes through flash and vibration.

Live baitfish — herring, anchovies, or smelt — work well in salt water and in large river systems. Use them whole or as chunks. In the ocean, a live herring on a mooching rig can out-fish anything else on a slow day. In rivers, chunks of herring or anchovy drift effectively and hold scent longer than roe alone.

Reading water and finding salmon

Salmon are not evenly distributed. They hold in specific places based on current, depth, and cover. In rivers, look for the inside bend of a channel where current slows, the tail of a pool where water deepens, and the head of a run where water accelerates. These are the places salmon rest and feed. Fish the edges of current seams — where fast water meets slow water — because salmon use these boundaries to conserve energy.

In the ocean, use a fish finder to locate structure and depth changes. Salmon hold near drop-offs, around underwater ridges, and along kelp beds. They also follow baitfish schools, so if you see bait on the sounder, salmon are usually nearby. Troll the edges of these features, not the middle.

Water clarity and color tell you what the salmon can see. In clear water, use smaller, more natural-colored lures and baits. In stained or murky water, use brighter colors and larger profiles so salmon can locate your offering. After heavy rain, rivers often turn brown; wait a day or two for the water to clear, or move to a tributary that drains clearer terrain.

Timing: seasons and local runs

Salmon runs follow a calendar, and the timing varies by region and species. Spring runs enter rivers in March through May and are often larger fish that have spent more time in the ocean. Summer runs come in June through August and are typically smaller and more aggressive. Fall runs arrive in September through November and are the most abundant in many regions.

Your state or province publishes a fishing calendar that lists which rivers are open, when runs are expected, and what the harvest limits are. Check this before you plan a trip. Some rivers are catch-and-release only; others have daily limits. Some open late or close early depending on run strength. A river that was open last year may be closed this year if the run is weak.

Local fishing reports from tackle shops, fishing forums, and state fishery offices tell you whether salmon are actually in the water right now, not just when they are supposed to be. A run can be early or late by weeks depending on water temperature and flow. Calling a local shop or checking an online report takes five minutes and saves you a wasted trip.

Gear and tackle setup

River salmon fishing typically uses a medium-power spinning rod, 6 to 7 feet long, with a reel that holds 150 to 200 yards of 12 to 20-pound monofilament or braided line. A 2 to 3-foot leader of 15 to 25-pound monofilament connects your main line to your lure or rig. This setup handles the weight of a 10 to 30-pound salmon and the abrasion of river rocks.

Ocean salmon fishing from a boat uses heavier gear: a 6 to 7-foot medium-heavy rod, a level-wind or conventional reel, and 20 to 30-pound line. Trolling requires rod holders and a way to deploy multiple lines at different depths. Mooching uses lighter tackle — a 5 to 6-foot medium rod and 15 to 20-pound line — because you are fishing vertically and do not need the casting distance.

For river drift fishing, use a simple three-way rig: your main line to a three-way swivel, a 12 to 18-inch leader with a weight (1/2 to 1 ounce depending on current), and another leader with your hook or lure. The weight keeps the bait near the bottom while the current carries it downstream. Adjust the weight to stay in contact with the bottom without snagging constantly.

Regulations and where to fish legally

Every state and province manages salmon fisheries differently. You need a fishing license, and many regions require a special salmon endorsement or tag. Some rivers are open year-round; others have specific seasons. Some allow harvest; others are catch-and-release only. Some have daily limits; others have no limit. Ignoring these rules results in fines and loss of fishing privileges.

Before you fish, download or print the current regulations for your region. These are published online by your state fish and wildlife department or provincial ministry. Read the section on salmon specifically — it will tell you which waters are open, which methods are legal (some rivers ban bait, for example), and what the harvest rules are. If the regulations are unclear, call the department directly. They answer these questions every day.

Public access to rivers varies. Some rivers have public fishing areas; others are private. Check before you go. Many states maintain lists of public access points. If you are unsure whether a stretch is open to the public, ask at a local tackle shop — they know the land and the access situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of day to fish for salmon?

Early morning and late evening are most productive, especially in summer when water is warm. Salmon are more active in low light. In fall and spring, when water is cold, salmon feed throughout the day. Overcast days are better than bright days because salmon are less wary in dim light.

Do I need a boat to fish for salmon?

No. River salmon fishing is done from shore, and ocean salmon fishing works from piers, jetties, and rocky shores. A boat gives you access to more water and deeper fish, but it is not required. Many people catch salmon from shore every season.

What size salmon can I keep, and how many?

This varies by location and season. Some rivers have minimum size limits (often 12 to 16 inches); others have no minimum. Daily limits range from zero (catch-and-release only) to five or more fish. Check your local regulations — they change year to year based on run strength.

How do I know if a river has salmon in it right now?

Call a local tackle shop, check online fishing reports for your region, or contact your state fish and wildlife department. They track run timing and can tell you whether salmon are actively in the water. A river can be open but empty if the run has not arrived yet.

What should I do if I hook a large salmon?

Keep your rod tip up and reel steadily. Do not jerk or horse the fish — let the rod absorb the runs. If the salmon runs hard, give line rather than break off. Keep tension constant. Bring the fish to hand or net slowly. If you are catch-and-release, wet your hands before handling and return the fish quickly to the water.