Chum Salmon
Keta Salmon: Oncorhynchus keta
AKA: Chum
Salmon, Dog Salmon, Silverbrite Salmon.
Identification:
Ocean: Silver to Blue to Green in Color, No Spots, When near spawning
they can start to show larger irregular purplish blotches.
Spawning: In Fresh water Keta Salmon develop a darker coloration with
larger irregular stripes or blotches in greens, pinks, purples, and
darker shades. Spawning males have a large long snout and enlarged
teeth.
Size:
Adult Chum Salmon weigh from 8-12 pounds, with an average length of
about 25 inches. Alaska State Record for Chum Salmon is 32 pounds.
Food Value:
Chum Salmon have the lowest food value of the five species of Salmon.
Commercially they are sometimes targeted for their roe (eggs), which are
sold to the Japanese market, but the flesh has little commercial value.
Chum Salmon are used extensively as a subsistence food fish in areas
where other species of Salmon are less available. They are best smoked
or dried.
Fun Factor:
Chum have been called one of the most underrated game fish. They are
nicknamed Dog Salmon and believe me they are the bull dogs of the small
streams and large rivers that they inhabit. Chum Salmon are excellent
fighters and are arguably the most aggressive of the salmon species when
spawning. They readily bite almost any flashy lure presented to them,
but are most often targeted with flies, spoons, spinners, vibrating
lures, and eggs.
Silverbrite Salmon
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Pink Salmon
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