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What was that fish that just swam by?

Click on each drawing for a detailed photographic identification of the species.

Chinook (King) Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha):

The Chinook is the largest of all the Pacific salmon species. The Chinook is also the least abundant of the five Pacific salmon. Because of its size, the king salmon is valued by sportfishers throughout its entire native range. The average size and weight range for the Chinook salmon is 28 to 40 inches and 10 to 25 pounds, but given the right circumstances, they can reach 100 pounds! The average life span of chinook salmon is 3-6 years.

Coho (Silver) Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch):

Coho salmon are popular with sport fishermen because they readily bite lures and flies, fight hard, and are very good to eat. The coho salmon averages 24-28 inches in length and 6-10 pounds, but can reach over 20 pounds. The coho salmon has a life span of roughly 2-4 years.

Sockeye (Red) Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka):

Sockeye salmon are prized by sportfishermen for the amazing and enduring fight they put up when hooked and for their delicious red flesh. Sockeye salmon are also highly prized by the commercial fishing industry because of their high oil content, rich flavor, and bright red flesh. Generally sockeye salmon reach a length of 21-26 inches and usually weighing 4-7 pounds, with large fish reaching 15 pounds. The average lifespan of sockeye salmon is 2-7 years.

Chum (Dog) Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta):

The chum salmon's spawning colors make it an interesting sight and many sportfishermen prefer them for their tendency to fight hard and because they will take a wide variety of lures and flies. On average, chum salmon reach a length of 24-31 inches and a weight of 6-12 pounds, with large fish from some stocks tipping the scales over 25 pounds. The average lifespan of chum salmon is 2-5 years, and in some cases, 7 years.

Pink (Humpy) Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha):

The male pink salmon, during spawning, boasts a distinctive hump on its back between the head and dorsal fin, hence the common name "humpy" or "humpback salmon". Pink salmon are the most abundant of all the Pacific salmon. They are commonly sought after by sportfishermen because of their availability. Pink salmon average 18-24 inches in length and 3-5 pounds, making them the smallest of all 5 North American species of Pacific salmon. Pink salmon differ from the other species of Pacific salmon by having a fixed two-year life span.