MEET cOHO

Below the surface of our oceans and waterways is a lesser known local hero, whose presence matters to all of us.

 

Meet the Coho salmon, or Oncorhynchus kisutch, who alongside Chinook, steelhead, and chum salmon, return from the ocean every fall to spawn in our waterways. Coho are a unique looking fish, sporting vibrant red and green hues with a hint of prehistoric charm and a considerable overbite.​

 

Coho's lives in our waters begin as tiny eggs nestled in gravel nests. Once hatched, they spend at least a year in rivers and sloughs before embarking on a grand adventure back to the ocean. They will then return to their home streams as mature adults, 1-2 years later, in the fall.  ​

​

Coho are important to Coos waters because as a key indicator species, they help us understand the overall health of our environment. This means that when Coho salmon are thriving, other species and the entire ecosystem are doing well, too.