Pelagic / Anadromous
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Elongated, robust body with a silvery sheen, bluish-green back, and distinctive dark spots on the back, dorsal fin, and both lobes of the tail fin. It possesses a characteristic black gum line inside the lower jaw and small cycloid scales.
- Habitat
- Anadromous species native to the North Pacific Ocean and…
- Size & weight
- Typically ranges from 24 to 36 inches in length and weig…
- Diet
- Piscivorous and carnivorous; feeds primarily on smaller…
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Physical characteristics
Elongated, robust body with a silvery sheen, bluish-green back, and distinctive dark spots on the back, dorsal fin, and both lobes of the tail fin. It possesses a characteristic black gum line inside the lower jaw and small cycloid scales.
Habitat & distribution
Anadromous species native to the North Pacific Ocean and associated coastal river systems. Spends the majority of its adult life in deep marine pelagic waters before migrating upstream into freshwater rivers and streams to spawn.
Behavior
Solitary or loosely aggregated in the open ocean during feeding phases, but forms determined upstream migration groups and becomes highly territorial and aggressive near spawning beds in freshwater.
Diet
Piscivorous and carnivorous; feeds primarily on smaller schooling fish such as herring, sand lance, and smelt, as well as squid and various crustacean zooplankton while in the ocean.
Reproduction
Anadromous and semelparous, meaning adults migrate from the ocean into freshwater rivers, where females build gravel nests called redds, deposit eggs to be fertilized, and both adults die shortly after spawning.
Ecological role
Acts as an important mid-to-top level predator in marine environments and serves as a vital nutrient vector when spawned and returned to freshwater ecosystems, supplying marine-derived nitrogen and phosphorus to riparian wildlife and forests.
Similar species
Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), which generally features white gums, fewer spots on the lower tail lobe, and a smaller average size.
Identification tips
Look for the distinctive black pigmentation along the lower gum line, black spots covering both the upper and lower lobes of the tail fin, and a dark back.
Interesting facts
Also known as the king salmon, the Chinook is the largest of all Pacific salmon species and is renowned for undertaking immense swimming migrations spanning thousands of miles upstream against powerful river currents.