Coho salmon in Wisconsin
WDNR limits, records and lakes for Coho salmon.
- 5 in total; minimum limit
- 26 lbs. 1.9 oz.record
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Coho salmon in Wisconsin, the overview
Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) sits in the Trouts (Salmonidae) family on the WDNR fish list and counts as game fish under Wisconsin rules. The first WDNR row, smoky lake, montreal river and menominee river from its mouth upstream to the fi, allows 5 in total; minimum length 10 inches with a season of Open all year.
A 26 lbs. 1.9 oz. fish from Lake Michigan (1999) heads the hook and line list.
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| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Smoky Lake, Montreal River and Menominee River from its mouth upstream to the first dam | 5 in total; minimum length 10 inches | Open all year |
| Brule River upstream from Hwy 2 | 5 in total; minimum length Brook trout 8 inches; brown trout 12 inches | April 25, 2026 – Sept. 30, 2026 |
| Brule River downstream from Hwy 2 and other Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters | 5 in total; minimum length 7 inches | April 25, 2026 – Sept. 30, 2026 |
| Tributaries to Lake Michigan and major Green Bay tributaries | 5 (lake trout, other trout and salmon in total); minimum length 10 inches | Open all year |
| All other tributaries and ditches to Green Bay upstream to first dam or lake | 5 (lake trout, other trout and salmon in total); minimum length 10 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Lake Michigan | 5 in total with lake trout; minimum length 10 inches | Open all year |
| Lake Superior | 5; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Inland streams, springs and spring ponds | By county category: Green 5 trout of any length; Yellow 3 trout over 8 inches; Red varies by water; minimum length By category | April 4, 2026 (5 a.m.) – Oct. 15, 2026 |
| Inland lakes and ponds | By county category; total daily bag 5 trout and salmon in total, only 2 may be lake trout; minimum length By category | May 2, 2026 (5 a.m.) – March 7, 2027 |
| Streams flowing into Lake Michigan and Green Bay from their mouths upstream to the first dam, lake or designated tributa | 5 trout and salmon in total; minimum length 10 inches | Year-round on Lake Michigan tributaries and listed Green Bay tributary sections; May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 on other Gr |
| Lake Superior streams not listed in the Specific Waters section (mouth upstream to the first impassable barrier) | 5 trout and salmon in total, only 2 of which may be brown trout over 15 inches and only 1 of which may be a rainbow trout; minimum length Brook trout | May 2, 2026 (5 a.m.) – Sept. 30, 2026 |
2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations (WDNR). Checked October 2026.
Coho salmon records by category
| Category | Weight or length | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line | 26 lbs. 1.9 oz. | Lake Michigan | Milwaukee | 1999 |
| live release | 29.5 in | Sauk Creek | Ozaukee | 2020 |
WDNR record fish list, revised September 2026; angler names left out.
Guide services naming Coho salmon
- Door County ChartersGreen Bay charter, Door County, Baileys Harbor, (920) 559-2665
- Hitman ChartersGreen Bay charter, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 609-7788
- Hook Em & Cook EmGreen Bay charter, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 495-5912
- J-E Fishing EnterprisesGreen Bay charter, Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 743-7877
- JJs Guide ServiceGreen Bay charter, Door County, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 493-2953
- Leprechaun Fishing Charters, LLCGreen Bay charter, Door County, Sturgeon Bay, (612) 799-1453
- Salmon Depot Charter FishingGreen Bay charter, Sturgeon Bay, (715) 340-8509
- Angry Fin Charter FishingLake Michigan charter, Lake Michigan, Port Washington, (262) 689-5294
More Wisconsin fish grouped with Coho salmon
- CiscoTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Lake whitefishTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Brook troutTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Brown troutTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Rainbow troutTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Lake troutTrouts (Salmonidae)
- SplakeTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Chinook salmonTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Pink salmonTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Atlantic salmonTrouts (Salmonidae)
Wisconsin water near Coho salmon, photographed
Photo: Scott Catron, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: mheisel, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: BobbbyLight, CC BY 2.0
Quick facts people look up on Coho salmon
What daily limit applies to Coho salmon here?
5 in total; minimum length 10 inches on smoky lake, montreal river and menominee river from its mouth upstream to the fi; season Open all year. Other waters have their own rows.
Does the WDNR list a record Coho salmon?
26 lbs. 1.9 oz. from Lake Michigan in 1999 (hook and line).
Which Wisconsin lakes hold Coho salmon?
The water pages carry no mention of it.
Are Coho salmon stocked in Wisconsin?
No stocking is listed for it.
How does the WDNR classify Coho salmon?
Oncorhynchus kisutch, Trouts (Salmonidae); game fish, listed as nonnative.
Which months can I keep Coho salmon?
Open all year on smoky lake, montreal river and menominee river from its mouth upstream to the fi.
Do visitors need a license for Coho salmon?
Classified trout water calls for a Wisconsin fishing license ($20 resident, $55 nonresident a year) and the $10 inland trout stamp when you fish for trout.
Do outfitters list Coho salmon?
8 guides list it, among them Door County Charters.
Plan a Wisconsin trip for Coho salmon
Choose a water above, then check its rule table.