Species profile
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Identify Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 18 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 15 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 1 (British Columbia); the most generous is 200 (Alaska).
Across 8 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 18.0 in (≈ 1 ft 6 in).
Confirmed by 5,923 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Ontario, California, and Washington the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act — verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Notable details
- The largest Pacific salmon species, with records exceeding 100 pounds.
- Also called king salmon, spring salmon, and tyee depending on region.
- Adults stop eating entirely once they enter freshwater to spawn.
- Yukon River chinook travel nearly 2,000 miles upstream to reach spawning grounds.
- Dies after spawning, delivering marine-derived nutrients deep into freshwater ecosystems.
Where Chinook Salmon are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Chinook Salmon
Protected status
- Chinook salmon.
- Chinook salmon — 7 threatened ESUs.
Always verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Background
The Chinook salmon /ʃɪˈnʊk/ (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) is the largest species in the Pacific salmon genus Oncorhynchus. The common name refers to the Chinookan peoples. Other vernacular names for the species include king salmon, Quinnat salmon, spring salmon, and Tyee salmon. The scientific species name is based on the Russian common name chavycha (чавыча).
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Chinook Salmon article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Chinook Salmon?
Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 15 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Chinook Salmon?
Chinook Salmon is Oncorhynchus tshawytscha.
Is Chinook Salmon regulated for fishing?
Yes — Chinook Salmon has fishing regulations in 18 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Chinook Salmon?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Chinook Salmon along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.