Other Names
king salmon, spring salmon, tyee, quinnant, blackmouth
Description
A chinook's teeth are rooted in black gums. Their sides are silver/white and their back/tail have small, black spots. Their jaw comes to a pointed joint.
Typical Habitat
The chinook salmon is an anadromous species that lives in Northern Pacific waters and enters large coastal streams to spawn. They are known to be very strong swimmers and may migrate up to 1,500 miles upstream. Chinook have been stocked in numerous inland lakes, including the Great Lakes.
Feeding Habits
Chinook eat mostly fish, but crustaceans, crab larvae, squid and shrimp are part of their diet as well.
Age and Growth
Chinook will usually spawn between the ages of two and 9. They die right after spawning. Before beginning the upstream run, they grow between 15 and 25 pounds. Males will generally be much larger.
Sporting Qualities
Chinook are extremely sensitive to light and are less likely to feed on the surface. They will hit trolling flies, erratic plugs, spoons, spinner/salmon egg combos and whole or cut baitfish. Once hooked, chinook sound and fight tenaciously.
Food Quality
Their meat can vary in color from red to white — the red flesh is considered best. Chinooks are considered to be one of the best table fish on the Pacific coast.
World Record
97 lbs. 4 ounces Kenai River, Alaska
Preferred Temps
53 to 57
Material from eAngler.com.
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