Best Salmon Fishing Lures – Top Picks for River and Lake Salmon

Detailed Reviews

Salmon are the most powerful freshwater fish many anglers will ever encounter. Whether you are targeting chinook on a Pacific river or coho in the Great Lakes, having the right salmon fishing lures dramatically improves your chances of connecting with these incredible fish. This guide covers the most effective lures and tactics for both river and lake salmon fishing.

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River Salmon Techniques

Drift Fishing with Roe

Drift fishing with cured salmon roe is the most universally effective river salmon technique. Weight your line above a swivel, tie a 3-4 foot leader to a size 2/0 to 4/0 hook, and drift naturally along the bottom through holding pools. Salmon holding in current will strike roe drifting through their lane more than any other presentation. Brined roe in Pro-Cure salmon cure that gives it a natural orange color and irresistible scent.

Spinners and Spoons

For aggressive, fresh-run salmon in tidal reaches and estuary areas, cast large in-line spinners and casting spoons across current and retrieve at varying speeds. The flash and vibration triggers reaction strikes from fish not yet settled into holding patterns. The Blue Fox Vibrax 5 and Mepps Syclops in 3/4 to 1.5 oz are proven river salmon lures.

Back-Trolling Plugs

Salmon plugs like the Kwikfish K16 and Brad’s Super Bait back-trolled from an anchored or rowing boat create irresistible action. Wrap the belly with fresh herring for combined visual and scent attraction. This technique is particularly effective for chinook in deep, slow pools.

Lake and Bay Salmon Trolling

In the Great Lakes and Pacific bays, trolling at precise depths is essential for contacting salmon. A downrigger allows exact depth control. Run salmon flashers attached to hoochie squid lures or rigged herring behind the flasher at depths shown on your fish finder. Troll at 2.0-3.5 mph for the most productive speed range.

Essential Salmon Gear

River fishing: 8.5 to 10-foot salmon rod with spinning or baitcasting reel loaded with 15-20 lb monofilament. Lake trolling: trolling rods in 8-10 foot lengths with level-wind trolling reels holding 300+ yards of 20-30 lb line. Always carry a large landing net — you cannot hand-land a 20-pound salmon in moving current.

Bottom Line

River salmon respond best to natural presentations — cured roe drifted naturally remains the single most effective salmon bait available. Augment with spinners for active fish and Kwikfish plugs for sluggish holding fish. In lakes, invest in a downrigger and proper trolling gear to reach fish at their holding depth.