Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

How to identify a Chinook Salmon

Chinook Salmon are found in nearshore ocean, river mouths, and migratory river corridors. Use these features as a starting point and compare with a full identification guide before relying on any identification.

Habitat and range

Nearshore ocean, river mouths, and migratory river corridors

Where to catch Chinook Salmon

• Columbia River (WA/OR)
• Kenai (AK)
• Sacramento system (CA)
• Fraser (BC) — all species we list for this fishery

Chinook Salmon by state

State season calendars that list Chinook Salmon — each shows the months it is in season and the official licence source:

• Alaska — seasons, best months and licence info
• California — seasons, best months and licence info
• Oregon — seasons, best months and licence info
• Washington — seasons, best months and licence info

Baits and lures

Herring · spoons · trolling offshore · beads · jigs · spinners in rivers

Detailed identification guides

• Chinook Salmon Identification
• Salmon vs. Trout
• Chinook vs. Coho Salmon

Related species

Often caught in the same waters or confused with Chinook Salmon:

• Chum Salmon — identification & profile (Saltwater)
• Coho Salmon — identification & profile (Saltwater)
• King-of-the-Salmon — identification & profile (Saltwater)
• Pink Salmon — identification & profile (Saltwater)
• Sockeye Salmon — identification & profile (Saltwater)
• Atlantic Salmon — identification & profile (Freshwater)