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Stocking schedule by species

Chinook & Coho Salmon stocking schedule — all states.

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha / O. kisutchPut and GrowRestorationStocking Now

Great Lakes salmon programs (chinook and coho) are entirely supported by stocking — wild reproduction is minimal. Smolts stocked in tributaries imprint on the stream and return there as adults to spawn 2–4 years later. Michigan, Wisconsin, New York, and Pennsylvania maintain the largest programs. Adult fish concentrate in Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Ontario; they enter tributaries in fall to spawn (and die).

Typical chinook & coho salmon stocking calendar

Across the 14 states that stock chinook & coho salmon, the typical stocking months are below. Specific dates and waters vary by state — consult each agency report.

JanJan — no stocking Chinook & Coho Salmon typical size: 3–6 inch smoltFebFeb — no stocking Chinook & Coho Salmon typical size: 3–6 inch smoltMarMar — no stocking Chinook & Coho Salmon typical size: 3–6 inch smoltAprApr — moderate stocking Chinook & Coho Salmon typical size: 3–6 inch smoltMayMay — moderate stocking Chinook & Coho Salmon typical size: 3–6 inch smoltJunJun — no stocking Chinook & Coho Salmon typical size: 3–6 inch smoltJulJul — no stocking Chinook & Coho Salmon typical size: 3–6 inch smoltAugAug — no stocking Chinook & Coho Salmon typical size: 3–6 inch smoltSepSep — no stocking Chinook & Coho Salmon typical size: 3–6 inch smoltOctOct — no stocking Chinook & Coho Salmon typical size: 3–6 inch smoltNovNov — no stocking Chinook & Coho Salmon typical size: 3–6 inch smoltDecDec — no stocking Chinook & Coho Salmon typical size: 3–6 inch smolt
Typical stocking size3–6 inch smolt
Stocking water temperature40–60°F

Targeting newly-stocked chinook & coho salmon

Spring smolt fishing (post-stocking adults at tributary mouths) and fall spawning runs are the two main fisheries. Trolling spoons and flies behind dodgers in the open lake; egg patterns, beads, and streamers in the tributaries during the fall run.

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States that stock chinook & coho salmon

8 states have notable chinook & coho salmon stocking programs. Click through for the state-specific schedule and official agency report.

Chinook & Coho Salmon stocking alerts — your home water.

Bield: Fish parses agency stocking reports across states and pushes alerts when chinook & coho salmon hit your saved waters.

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