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Chinook Salmon
Species Information
| Scientific Name: | Oncorhynchus tshawytscha |
| Common Names: | Chinook, king salmon, quinnant, black salmon |
| Environment: | Lake, River, Inshore, Nearshore, Surf |
| Ideal Temp: | 52-63°F (11-17°C) |
About Chinook Salmon
The Chinook salmon, is the largest species in the Pacific (Oncorhynchus) salmon family. Other commonly used names for the species include king salmon, Quinnat salmon, spring salmon and Tyee salmon. Chinook are anadromous fish native to the north Pacific Ocean and the river systems of western North America ranging from California to Alaska. They are also native to Asian rivers ranging from northern Japan to the Palyavaam River in the Siberian far east, although only the Kamchatka Peninsula supports relatively persistent native populations. They have been introduced to other parts of the world, including New Zealand and the Great Lakes. A large Chinook is a prized and sought-after catch for a sporting angler. The flesh of the salmon is also highly valued for its dietary nutritional content, which includes high levels of important omega-3 fatty acids.
The Chinook is blue-green,red or purple on the back and top of the head with silvery sides and white ventral surfaces. It has black spots on its tail and the upper half of its body. Its mouth is often dark purple to black. Adult fish range in size from 24 to 36 in (610 to 910 mm) but may be up to 58 inches (1,500 mm) in length; they average 10 to 50 pounds (4.5 to 23 kg).
Salmon feed on planktonic diatoms, copepods, kelps, seaweeds, jellyfish, and starfish. As with all salmonid species, they also feed on insects, amphipods, and other crustaceans while young, and primarily on other fish when older. Young salmon feed in streambeds for a short period until they are strong enough to journey out into the ocean and acquire more food. Chinook juveniles divide into two types: ocean type and stream type. Ocean-type chinook migrate to saltwater in their first year. Stream-type salmon spend one full year in fresh water before migrating to the ocean. After a few years in the ocean, adult salmon, then large enough to escape most predators, return to their original streambeds to mate. Chinook salmon can have extended lifespans, where some fish spend one to five years in the ocean, reaching age eight. More northerly populations tend to have longer lives.
Chinook Salmon Fishing
| World Record: | 44.11 kg (97 lb 4 oz) Kenai River, Alaska, USA |
| # Fish Caught: | 109260835 documented in database. |
| Earliest Record: | 1/1/1800 12:00:00 AM and located at -44.75901, 168.13982. |
| Latest Record: | 4/2/2025 5:16:00 PM and located at 37.76659, -120.84715. |
| Common Techniques: | Bottom Fishing, Casting, Fly, Trolling |
| Popular Lure Types: | Bottom Rig, Flies, Plugs, Spoons, Topwater, Trolling |
| Fishing Spots: | 4450 Chinook Salmon fishing spots. |
Latest Chinook Salmon Fishing Reports and Spots
With the prospect of excellent runs taking shape the Buoy 10 season for 2025 should offer plenty of opportunities to bring home both chinook an (
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With July coming to an end Port Washington Charter fishing has remained fairly consistent. Coho salmon have surprisingly stuck around in good nu (
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From Native Fish Society March 2025 Eugene Water and Electric Board Violating Endangered Species Act Advocates Sue to Address Harm to Bull Tro (
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Fisheries managers have set the ground rules for early spring chinook salmon fishing on the Columbia River. This year’s season on the lower riv (
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OUTLOOK We have a damp weekend in front of us. This should keep rivers at a low but reasonable height. There is some wind in the forecast th (
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If you’re searching for a Portland Oregon fishing guide or charter you might be curious about what’s in season. In the local rivers and streams (
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2024 season wrap up – Salmon 2024 has shaped up to be one of the most consistent seasons we have seen in many years. Many of our salmon fisherie (
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Pacific Angler Fall Fishing Sale 2024 The fall fishing season is upon us! The rivers are starting to get their first push of chinook and coho (
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OUTLOOK Fall is here at least on the calendar. It isn’t here on the weather front. We have a great weekend of weather ahead of us with temps i (
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OUTLOOK Opening weekend is here! You are going to have to wait until Sunday but on Sunday the 1st we can finally fish almost all of the local (
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