Symbol of the Government of Canada

Pink Salmon (also known as humpy) - Oncorhynchus gorbuscha 

How Can You Tell the Difference?

Anglers should use three or more distinguishing characteristics to properly identify all salmon. This would, for example, aid in identifying juvenile chinook from adult pink salmon. In the early adult stage, pink salmon are often mistaken for chinook because both have spots on their tails.

Description of pink salmon in marine phase

Pink salmon have tiny scales and a tail heavily marked with large oval spots. Unlike the other salmon species, the tail of a pink has no silver in it. In the sea, pinks have silver bodies with spotted backs. They are the smallest of the Pacific salmon, usually weighing about 2.2 kg, but occasionally reaching 5.5 kg. They are more abundant in northern waters in even-numbered years and in southern waters in odd-numbered years. Pinks live only two years.

Each pink salmon you keep must be at least 30 cm long. 

Photo of pink salmon in marine phase

Description of pink salmon in freshwater phase

Mature males are yellowish gray on the sides of their body, blotched with brown, and dark along back. Females are olive green on the sides of their body with dusky stripes. Both males and females appear dirty white below the lateral line, and their tails have large oval spots.

Drawing of male and female pink salmon in freshwater phase
 

Pink Jaw

Close up photo of pink salmon jaw
 

The mouth in a pink salmon is white, but the gums are black, as they are in a chinook. It does not have "teeth" on its tongue.

Pink Tail

Close up photo of pink salmon tail
The pink salmon has a V-shaped
tail coverd with large oval spots. Its scales are very small.

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