Also known as
Spring, King, Tyee
01 — Oncorhynchus tschawytscha
Chinook
Avg. Weight9 kg (20 lbs)
Avg. Size56–81 cm (22–32 in)
Life Cycle4–7 years
Migration: Chinook migrate upstream from spring through fall, as far as 1,500 km inland. Fry may go to sea soon after hatching, or after one to two years in fresh water.
Outer Appearance
Small eyes
Black gums
Small round spots on back, dorsal fin and tail
Thick caudal
13–19 anal rays
At the Table
Flesh colour: Deep red to ivory; lightens slightly when cooked
Flavour: Rich and full • Texture: Moderately firm with larger flakes
Bake
Broil
Grill
Poach
Also known as
Silver, Medium-red (when canned)
02 — Oncorhynchus kisutch
Coho
Avg. Weight2–5.5 kg (4–12 lbs)
Avg. Size56–66 cm (22–26 in)
Life Cycle3 years
Migration: Adult coho usually return to fresh water between late summer and early fall, mostly in streams close to the ocean, though some journey as far as 1,500 km inland. Coho fry stay in their spawning stream for a full year after emerging from the gravel.
Outer Appearance
White gums
Spots above lateral line and on upper lobe
Thick caudal
Silver colour adjacent to caudal
At the Table
Flesh colour: Vibrant reddish-orange; maintained when cooked
Flavour: Moderately full and versatile • Texture: Firm and fine textured
Bake
Broil
Grill
Poach
Sauté
Also known as
Silver-bright, Keta (when canned)
03 — Oncorhynchus keta
Chum (Keta)
Avg. Weight3.5 kg (8 lbs)
Avg. Size56–66 cm (22–26 in)
Life Cycle3–5 years
Migration: Chum generally spawn in late fall, usually in the lower tributaries along the coast, rarely more than 150 km inland. Fry emerge in spring and go directly to sea.
Outer Appearance
Dark metallic blue-green back with silver sides and belly
Dark vertical “watermark” bars when mature
Large pupil
No spots on back, dorsal fin or tail
Narrow caudal
13–17 anal rays
At the Table
Flesh colour: Reddish-pink; becomes paler as the fish migrates upstream
Flavour: Milder and more delicate • Texture: Firm, and can be drier
Bake
Broil
Grill
Poach
Sauté
Steam
Also known as
Humpback, Humpie
04 — Oncorhynchus gorbusha
Pink
Avg. Weight2 kg (4 lbs)
Avg. Size35–46 cm (14–18 in)
Life Cycle2 years
Migration: Pink fry migrate to sea as soon as they emerge from the gravel, spending almost their entire two years in ocean feeding areas. Adults leave the ocean in late summer and early fall to spawn in streams close to the sea.
Outer Appearance
Shiny silvery skin
Large black oval spots on back and tail
Develops a hump on back when spawning
Very small scales
13–17 anal rays
At the Table
Flesh colour: Light rose-pink; lightens slightly when cooked
Flavour: Mild and delicate • Texture: Softer
Bake
Broil
Poach
Also known as
Red Salmon (when canned)
05 — Oncorhynchus nerka
Sockeye
Avg. Weight2.7 kg (6 lbs)
Avg. Size51–61 cm (20–24 in)
Life Cycle5 years
Migration: Sockeye spawn in streams with lakes in their watershed, and stay in those lakes one to three years before migrating to sea. They move rapidly out through the estuaries into the Gulf of Alaska and North Pacific, returning to their spawning stream at three, sometimes six, years old.
Outer Appearance
Small black speckles on deep blue-green back and silver sides
No spots on the tail
Slender, firm body
Bright red body and green head when spawning
13–18 anal rays
At the Table
Flesh colour: Deep red to orange-red; maintained when cooked
Flavour: Rich and full • Texture: Firm, with tighter flakes
Bake
Broil
Grill
Poach
