Chinook Salmon (also known as spring, tyee and king) - Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

How Can You Tell the Difference?

Anglers should use three or more distinguishing characteristics to properly identify all salmon. In the juvenile stage of chinook salmon, some fishers misidentify them as pinks because both have spots on their tails.

Description of chinook salmon in marine phase

Black gums and a silver, spotted tail distinguish the chinook from other salmonids. It has a lightly spotted blue-green back and is the largest, most prized game fish. The chinook lives from three to seven years. It weighs between 1.5 kg and 30 kg. Average-size chinooks are often known as springs in B.C. Those over 13.5 kg are called tyees, and in the U.S., chinook are called king salmon.

Description of chinook salmon in freshwater phase

Fresh run fish are very similar in appearance to salt water fish - lightly spotted blue-green back, black gums and a silver, spotted tail. As chinook mature, they become very dark in colour - some dark reddish, and others almost black.

Chinook Jaw   The chinook has black gums at the base of its teeth and its mouth is dark. In some areas it is known as "black mouth".

Chinook Tail The chinook has a flowing V-shaped, silvery tail that is generally covered with spots. The tail becomes more square as the chinook reaches adult stage.

Return to Salmon Information