Best Water Temperature for Salmon (Coastal & Landlocked)

Salmon are one of the best fighting and most prized gamefish in American waters. Many anglers overlook the importance of water temperature on these migratory fish and that is preventing them from catching more salmon.

Coastal salmon in Oregon, California, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska bite best in water ranging from 55-64° F. The best temperature for midwestern landlocked salmon in the Great Lakes region is water from 42° to 65° F.

Most salmon species travel between freshwater and saltwater and are driven to do so by temperature. Understanding this temperature and utilizing it can yield great results when fishing for salmon.

We have come to understand this as anglers and capitalize on it during the spawning season. This process that the salmon follow is tried and true for a very long time, but do not think it is too stable.

Almost every animal is sensitive to temperature change and that is why it can be hard to predict a specific behavior such as spawn. Generally, the temperatures and their corresponding behaviors are as follows.

Most coastal salmon Juvenile to Adult function at complete noramility at 55 to 64 degrees.
Landlocked salmon, generally around the Great Lakes, thrive best when water temperatures are below 65 degree

Best Water Temperature for Salmon: Seasonal Variations

Salmon generally spawn from spring to winter and this is all determined by temperature. Salmon that are landlocked will always see more activity earlier in the year as inland water bodies generally heat more rapidly than oceanic water.

Seasonal Variations for salmon rely on the spawn happening on schedule generally. Inland, in the Great Lakes, salmon spawning is regulated through fisheries and other programs and catch limits. This gives the salmon a little publicity.

Towns that dot the coast of the states attached to the Great Lakes begin becoming a hub for fishing activity during the spawns of the salmon.

Seasonal variations for spawn and salmon also vary by species, with chinook usually being the earliest and least frequent and Kokanee, or Humpy being more frequent in the Great Lakes. Generally, outfitters and the state game offices will have all the information you need to consider fishing these areas.

Below is an example of variations of activity based on species in the Alaska coast and when the nest times to visit are. The further south you travel, the warmer the water is, so, for example, expect a California trip to be much earlier.

King Salmon (Chinook)

Spawn begins Mid June and run until the end of July

Sockeye (Red) Salmon

Spawn begins shortly after Chinook salmon and runs into the end of July as well. Generally in Alaska, this is one of the shortest spawn periods.

Chum Salmon

Generally in Alaska and other places, Chum Salmon have a long spawn period. In Alaska, it stretches from the end of June to October.

Pink Salmon

Pink Salmon generally begin their spawn activity at the end of July and spawn will be very active until September.

This is an example of a spawning season for a few of the different species of fish in Alaska and being in the far north, we can assume that the temperature of the water will warm earlier and earlier the further you travel south.

Does Water Temperature Affect Feeding?

Water temperature does and can contribute to salmon feeding behavior. As with any fish, a desire to linger where oxygen is more plentiful will always be a regular behavior. This is also true of prey such as other fish.

Commercial fishermen track water temperatures to understand where the fish are as should any angler. Information on oceanic temperatures can be found from the NOAA and are generally very recent if you are fishing off of the coast.

Feeding is always going to be more active closer to spawn. Animals that travel or migrate know when to start feeding and water temperature is going to be the determining factor to that.

Charters and Outfitters will be a huge asset if you are interested in being guided on a trip. The temperatures are monitored by these companies.

Booking a charter or a guide in a salmon heavy area such as a town along the Great Lakes can be difficult the closer you get to the spawning season. Be sure to book early and communicate with them well to get the best trip possible.

To see my complete breakdown of the best water temperatures for fishing (all species both freshwater and saltwater), please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish the Oregon Coast, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Water Temperature & Spawning

To better understand the importance of temperature driving spawn, we can look further down the chain and see the long-term effects of temperature increase.

Temperature triggers migration in salmon but it also drives other animals to the rivers as well. Bears, birds, and other animals know that the increase in temperature means food.

Temperature also opens up more waterways for salmon to use and this is why you can see salmon spawning miles upon miles from the ocean.

Generally, when the water is warm enough, most salmon that make it to their spawning area will lay their eggs in pebble areas with little to no current.

Water temperature that is too warm too soon drives salmon inland early. Water temperatures over 70 degrees are dangerous for most fish, especially salmon.

Areas of drought such as California can cause increases in heat making for early spawns. This is where fishery departments are utilized to help support the salmon’s healthy spawn.

With Fisheries playing such an important role in salmon everywhere, it is very useful to read any information they have. Fish and game as well as the fisheries should be your first two sources of information for any trip. If you want to learn what are the best fighting fish to catch to include saltwater and freshwater, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Oceanic Temperatures

Oceanic temperatures have a huge impact on salmon and a huge influence on their spawn. Oceanic temperatures can be seen getting higher the further south you travel towards the equator but it also drops near the coast.

An NOAA surface temperature reading from August of 2021 shows that despite temperatures being warmer at sea, coastal temperatures of mid-California were only 55 degrees. This can affect the salmon coming into the mainland for spawn, slowing them down at the mouth of rivers.

It is very common for anglers to capitalize on early spawn and hit the mouths of rivers as the salmon enter the mainland, this is a good tactic but can be difficult to get the timing right. To get this timing right, the use of a guide might be a good option for you.

Inland Water Temperatures

Inland water lacking salt provides different activities for salmonids in many ways. Primarily, Spawning will be different and occur in different places.

Trout typically spawn in similar terrain as coastal salmon but will seek out safe areas for their eggs. They also do not die at the end of this spawning cycle.

This can yield huge fish when fishing the right way in the right place.

In the heat of the day, you will see trout and most other species of fish swim for deeper water to avoid the heat, provoking anglers to start shallow in the morning and run deeper as the heat increases.

Heat does not only come from heat retention of the water, it also can be measured in ultraviolet as well. This is why it may not feel hot to you, but it does to the fish.

Salmon Fishing Strategies & Tactics

Generally, salmon fishing is done in a stream, river, or ocean. The three are very different and offer different prey than the other. Generally, stream and river fishing will see salmon at their most extreme behavior, whereas oceanic fishing may find them in schools in certain areas.

In terms of tackle, each is different but generally, oceanic fishing will utilize a larger lure and bait whereas you may not need anything large on rivers and streams. Here is a breakdown of fishing salmon on a few different water bodies.

Ocean and Coastal Fishing

Common fishing off of the coast will include trolling with bait or artificial lures. Consider temperatures when making these trolling runs and know that the salmon will behave differently in pockets of warmer water. Lures and bait include the following.

Shiners
Herring
Plugs
Spinners
Spoons
Flys

River Fishing

Salmon fishing in rivers can be more difficult as you will be fishing on a current and depending on the river, that can be very extreme. During the spawn, look for resting salmon behind rocks where the current is weaker. Bait is generally the best option for river fishing spawning salmon.

Night Crawlers
Leeches
Flys
Crank Baits
Spinners
Yarn

Stream Fishing

Stream fishing is generally done later in spawn when the salmon have made it to their destination. Streams are more prevalent inland but that is not to say that there are no streams closer to the ocean. Any spawn occurring during spring bug hatches is going to be the very best time to catch salmon.

Flys (matching the hatch if applicable)
Floating Crank Baits
Night Crawlers
Leeches
Spoons
Spinners

Landlocked Salmonids (Sockeye and Trout)

Landlocked Salmon very greatly spawn and generally do it much sooner than their ocean living relatives. Lures and baits used will be a little different as well.

Night Crawlers
Spawn Setups (cured or uncured)
Maggots
Leeches
Crankbaits
Shad

Other Things to Consider

One of the major things to understand is how everyone else is fishing and it goes further than what they use, but also how they are using it.

Temperature drives salmon metabolism, and what they are willing to do to eat. The higher the metabolism, the more likely they will chase down food, rather than wait for food to come to them.

Temperature is also at its highest on the surface of the water, meaning that if the salmon are trying to beat the heat, they will be found deeper. This also means that you can use temperature to decide how far from shore you fish when fishing off of the coast.

On watercraft, it is recommended that you use adequate weather and water temperature equipment to monitor the water you are fishing in as well as to detect pressure changes.

Salmon nearing spawn like color in their prey and will really chase after bright colors. This is why sand shrimp are dyed pink and used for salmon in the pacific northwest. Try experimenting with color when you fish for them.

The durability of the lure should be considered when fishing for salmon. They have larger teeth and can damage lures and tear up bait. Be prepared by having extra bait with you.

A simple file and needle-nose pliers are all you need to keep a hook sharp and keep its shape. Carry simple tools like this with you as well.

When fishing pre or early-spawn in saltwater, make sure that the gear you bring can resist corrosion. Saltwater can be destructive to fishing reels and other gear so be sure to clean gear when finished fishing.

For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish Alaska, please check out this helpful article.

Why we Love Salmon Fishing

The salmon family embodies several species in both fresh and saltwater. What makes them so popular is their availability and the joy of pursuing them.

Temperature, as well as many other factors, contribute to how we fish for them, from commercial application to recreational. It is important that we also understand that temperature is changing and this will impact our salmon in the future.

Staying current with the environmental state of where you plan to fish for salmon is going to be your largest asset. Learn from the locals and ask for some help if the area is new. Outfitters, guides, and charters have one goal in mind, to get you on the fish. They have done all this work for you, and know where to go and what to use.

Fish and game departments and fisheries will have licensing information as well as biological information. Salmon numbers may be stronger in certain waters so do not pass up that information.

Fishing for salmon can be complicated in many ways. But understanding temperature, as well as other environmental factors, is the key to good fishing.

Try these tactics, techniques, and methods in your next fishing trip and you are sure to have fun and get on the fish and have fun doing it.

For a complete breakdown of the best salmon fishing spots in Oregon, California, and Michigan, check out these helpful articles I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish Seattle, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best water temperatures for salmon fishing, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Vancouver, please check out this helpful guide.