Chinook Salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Least Concern Both

Maximale Länge

150,0 cm

Maximales Gewicht

61,4 kg

Färbung

Ocean phase is deep blue-green …

Tiefenbereich

0-375m

Familie

Salmonidae

Kategorie

Game Fish

Overview

Largest of the Pacific salmons, the chinook, or king salmon, reaches 1.5 metres and returns from the sea to spawn a single time before dying, its carcass fertilising the whole watershed. Ocean-phase fish are deep blue-green above with silvery flanks and black-spotted backs and tails, turning dark red to olive-brown as they mature upstream. Runs ascend major systems such as the Columbia, Yukon, and Sacramento across the Pacific Rim from California to Kamchatka, Japan, and Korea. Its exceptionally rich, deep orange-red flesh sets the benchmark for Pacific salmon quality, superb grilled, smoked, or cured. The species overall is assessed as Least Concern, though certain runs are severely depleted.

Über

The chinook salmon, also known as king salmon, is the largest of the Pacific salmon species. It undertakes epic migrations from the ocean to its natal river to spawn once before dying, providing nutrients to the entire watershed ecosystem.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value
Maximum Length	150,0 cm
Maximum Weight	61,4 kg
Tiefenbereich	0-375m

Coloration

Ocean phase is deep blue-green back with silvery flanks and white belly; irregular black spots on the back, dorsal fin, and both lobes of the tail; spawning adults turn dark red to olive-brown.

Habitat & Distribution

Anadromous; spawns in cold, clear rivers of the Pacific Coast (Alaska to California). Adults spend 1-5 years in the Pacific Ocean before returning to natal streams. Largest Pacific salmon species.

Wassertyp

Freshwater & Saltwater

Tiefenbereich

0-375m

Verbreitungsgebiet

Länder

🇨🇦 Canada 🇺🇸 United States

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Distribution Map

Present Not recorded countries

Conservation Status

Least Concern IUCN Red List

Chinook Salmon is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Speisefisch & Küche

Geschmack

The largest Pacific salmon; exceptionally rich, fatty flesh with deep orange-red color and a full, buttery flavor. Superb grilled, smoked, or cured; the benchmark of Pacific salmon quality.

Angelinformationen

Sportfisch

Kampfbewertung

8/5

Empfohlener Köder

herring, spoons, spinners, flies, plugs

Taxonomy

Ordnung	Salmoniformes (Salmon and trout)
Familie	Salmonidae (Salmons and trouts)
Arten	Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name
French	Saumon royal
Spanish	Salmón real

Häufig gestellte Fragen

Can you eat Chinook Salmon?

The largest Pacific salmon; exceptionally rich, fatty flesh with deep orange-red color and a full, buttery flavor. Superb grilled, smoked, or cured; the benchmark of Pacific salmon quality.

How big does Chinook Salmon get?

Chinook Salmon can grow up to 150.0 cm long and weigh 61.4 kg.

Where is Chinook Salmon found?

Pacific Rim from California and Oregon north through Alaska and the Aleutian Islands to the Kamchatka Peninsula, Japan, and Korea. Anadromous runs use major river systems like the Columbia, Yukon, and Sacramento rivers. Anadromous; spawns in cold, clear rivers of the Pacific Coast (Alaska to California). Adults spend 1-5 years in the Pacific Ocean before returning to natal streams. Largest Pacific salmon species.

Is Chinook Salmon endangered?

The conservation status of Chinook Salmon is Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.

What family does Chinook Salmon belong to?

Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) belongs to the family Salmonidae (Salmons and trouts) in the order Salmoniformes (Salmon and trout).