Fly Rods
Echo Spey Rod
A two-handed rod for swinging flies across big steelhead and salmon runs.
Check PriceSpecies / Chinook Salmon
Trout & Salmon
Chinook Salmon Fishing
The largest Pacific salmon, called king salmon, running Pacific and Great Lakes tributaries. Kings are targeted by trolling in big water and by drifting and back-trolling in rivers.
Best Months: May to Oct
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Plan by Month
Best Flies, Lures & Bait for Chinook Salmon
Month
4 picks for October.
Intruder 2 to 4 in
FlyStreamer
Shop This FlyEgg-Sucking Leech #2-6
FlyStreamer
Shop This FlyCasting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz
LureSpoon
Shop This LureCured Salmon Eggs Single or cluster
BaitNatural Bait · Where bait is legal.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Rod & Reel
Chinook Salmon Setup
Chinook Salmon
Fly 10 ft 9 or 10 wt rod, sink-tip line, 15 to 20 lb leader.
Spin / Cast 9 to 10.5 ft medium-heavy casting rod, line-counter or levelwind reel, 20 to 30 lb line.
The US
Where to Catch Chinook Salmon
Rivers & Streams · California
Klamath River
Runs through the northwestern mountains. Summer steelhead and fall salmon runs.
Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Coho Salmon
Rivers & Streams · California
Lower Sacramento River
A big tailwater below Keswick Dam at Redding with year-round drift boat fishing for wild rainbows.
Rainbow Trout · Chinook Salmon · Steelhead
Rivers & Streams · Idaho
Main Salmon River
Wild and Scenic river through the Frank Church wilderness. Fall steelhead and Chinook.
Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Rainbow Trout
Lakes & Reservoirs · Illinois
Lake Michigan (Chicago)
Harbors and lakefront structure along Chicago with spring coho, summer kings, and perch.
Coho Salmon · Chinook Salmon · Yellow Perch
Rivers & Streams · Indiana
St. Joseph River
A Lake Michigan tributary with steelhead and salmon runs into South Bend and Mishawaka.
Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Smallmouth Bass
Rivers & Streams · Michigan
Manistee River
A big river below Tippy Dam with heavy salmon and steelhead runs.
Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · Michigan
Pere Marquette River
A wild, free-flowing river with salmon in fall, steelhead in winter and spring, and resident browns.
Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Brown Trout
Lakes & Reservoirs · North Dakota
Lake Sakakawea
A huge Missouri River reservoir with walleye, pike, and a chinook salmon fishery.
Walleye · Northern Pike · Chinook Salmon
Lakes & Reservoirs · New York
Lake Ontario (Oswego)
Charter and harbor fishing for kings, lake trout, and brown trout on the eastern lake.
Chinook Salmon · Lake Trout · Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · New York
Salmon River
The Lake Ontario tributary at Pulaski, famous for fall king salmon and winter steelhead.
Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Coho Salmon
Rivers & Streams · Oregon
Rogue River
A Southern Oregon river with spring chinook, half-pounder steelhead, and winter runs.
Steelhead · Chinook Salmon
Lakes & Reservoirs · South Dakota
Lake Oahe
A huge Missouri River reservoir and one of the best walleye lakes in the country.
Walleye · Northern Pike · Smallmouth Bass
Rivers & Streams · Washington
Skagit River
A big glacial river with wild steelhead and salmon runs.
Steelhead · Coho Salmon · Chinook Salmon
Lakes & Reservoirs · Wisconsin
Milwaukee Lakefront
Harbor and river mouth fishing for kings and coho on Lake Michigan.
Chinook Salmon · Coho Salmon
Recommended
Gear for Chinook Salmon
Rods
Ugly Stik Bigwater Trolling Rod
A long, forgiving trolling rod for downriggers and planer boards.
Check Price