For most amateur fishermen or women one of the hardest parts about salmon fishing is being able to clearly identify which particular type of salmon that they have caught. Since fishing regulations are based on species it is very critical that you can tell each from the other to stop being in violation of the license and most likely facing fines or even more serious outcomes. Learning about salmon fishing and varied species is not too difficult, and the general outlines provided below should be all that is wanted to identify the salmon species.
The following tips about salmon fishing species identification will apply only to mature salmon and may not apply to minors and smelts.
Chinook - it’s important to keep in mind when speaking about salmon fishing that many species go by different names. The Chinook is also called the King and blackmouth. It is the largest of the Pacific salmon, and is easily identified by the distinct black coloration to the lower gums. They’re olive or brown in coloration on the back with darker black coloration on the sides. They have many tiny, dark spots on the back.
Coho - also known as Silver salmon, are smaller than the Chinook or King salmon. They’ve a bluish green color to the skin on the head and back. Depending on the time of year the sides of the Coho might be wine coloured or even a very brilliant red. The cover of the gills will be extremely reddish throughout the year.
Chum - one of the less common salmon it is important to understand about salmon fishing this species to be successful. They will generally not move far inland and will stay close to salt water. Pal is the second largest of the Pacific salmon species and are easily distinguished by their red to purplish blue color and horizontal bars. They also have a very distinctive and pronounced set of teeth.
Sockeye - this salmon is awfully red in color and may occasionally be mistaken for the Coho due to the coloration. Sockeye spend up to two years in a fresh water lake before moving out the ocean, and are unique in this aspect. They have no distinct spots and the female is less brilliantly coloured than the male. Male Sockeyes have a noticeable hump on their back just before the dorsal fin.
Kokanee - this is the actually land locked salmon, living its complete live cycle in a fresh water lake, never venturing to the salt water. In physical outline they are nearly matching the Sockeye, being red in color and males having the dorsal hump.
When studying salmon fishing and fish identification it is a great idea to bring a salmon identification book and do not forget to practice conservation and return fish to the water whenever limits are reached.
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