King Salmon
Chinook Salmon:
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
AKA: King Salmon, Jack Salmon, Columbia River Salmon.
Identification:
Ocean: Bluish green on the top of the head and back with silver sides
and silver to white coloration on the underside, Black spots on the tail
and upper body, dark grey/black mouth coloration.
Spawning: In Fresh water King Salmon take on darker shades of reds and
browns. Snout elongation also occurs.
Size:
Adult King Salmon on average typically weigh from 10-50 pounds, with
some exceptional fish reaching 70-90 pounds. Alaska State Record for
King Salmon is 97 pounds. Commercially caught Alaskan Kings have been
recorded over 125 pounds.
Food Value:
Chinook or King Salmon have are considered by many Alaskans to be the
BEST eating of all the Alaskan fish species. They have an excellent
flavor and firm texture. They taste fantastic prepared in a variety of
ways including grilled, BBQ, smoked, baked, or broiled. Kings from the
Copper River are world renowned for their rich flavor, color, texture,
and high oil content.
Fishing Fun Factor:
King Salmon are the largest of all the Pacific Salmon species and are
tough fighters. They are prized as a game fish and food fish by sports
fishermen and natives. In salt water King Salmon are typically targeted
by trolling whole or cut herring behind flashers at various depths.
Trolling spoons and diving lures also sometimes are fished successfully.
In fresh water Kings are most often targeted with flies, eggs, spoons
such as the Pixie, spinners, and other lures.
Silverbrite Salmon
|
Pink Salmon
Back to Alaska Salmon Fishing