Trout & Salmon
King Salmon
Oncorhynchus tschawytscha
BothSalmonidaeVulnerable/Threatened (depending on the specific population)
About
King Salmon, also known as Chinook Salmon, are the largest of the Pacific salmon species. They are anadromous, meaning they hatch in freshwater, migrate to the ocean to grow, and return to freshwater to spawn, often returning to their natal streams.
- Average size
- 36-58 inches, 10-50 lbs (can exceed 100 lbs)
- Colors
- Olive-brown to dark reddish-brown back and sides, silvery flanks, and black spots on the back and dorsal fin. During spawning, they develop a darker, often reddish, coloration.
- Diet
- In the ocean, they feed on a variety of prey including crustaceans, squid, and other fish. In freshwater, adults typically stop feeding as they prepare to spawn.
- Region
- Pacific Northwest, Alaska, California