The 6 Most Common Types of Salmon

Salmon are a prized catch for anglers, known for their fighting spirit and delicious meat. There are six main types of salmon, each with unique characteristics, habitats, and behaviors that influence how and where they are caught. Understanding these differences can enhance your fishing strategy and overall experience!

Chinook (King) Salmon

Chinook Salmon Characteristics

Chinook salmon, also known as King salmon, are the largest of the Pacific salmon species. They can weigh over 100 pounds and are known for their high fat content and rich flavor, making them a sought-after catch.

Chinook Salmon Habitat

Chinook salmon are found from California to Alaska, thriving in a wide range of environments. These impressive fish inhabit both rivers and the ocean, embarking on extensive migrations between freshwater and saltwater throughout their life cycle. In their early years, they reside in freshwater streams and rivers, where they hatch and grow. As they mature, Chinook salmon migrate to the ocean, where they spend several years feeding and growing to their impressive size. Eventually, they return to their natal rivers to spawn, completing their life cycle in the same freshwater environments where they began. This remarkable journey makes Chinook salmon a fascinating and challenging target for anglers.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Tips

The best times to fish for Chinook salmon vary by location, but they are generally most active in late spring and early summer. Using lures that mimic their natural prey, such as herring or anchovies, can be effective. Popular fishing techniques include trolling and “mooching,” with notable locations like the Kenai River in Alaska and the Sacramento River in California offering excellent opportunities.

Coho (Silver) Salmon

Coho Salmon Characteristics

Coho salmon, or Silver salmon, are medium-sized with bright red flesh and a strong, distinctive flavor. They are highly valued for their fighting ability and culinary qualities.

Coho Salmon Habitat

Coho salmon are found along the coasts of Alaska, Canada, and the northern U.S. Pacific coast. These versatile fish thrive in both coastal marine environments and freshwater streams and rivers. In the early stages of their life cycle, Coho salmon spend time in freshwater, where they hatch and grow. As juveniles, they migrate to the ocean, adapting well to the coastal marine environment where they spend a significant portion of their lives feeding and maturing. When it’s time to spawn, they make their way back to freshwater streams and rivers, demonstrating remarkable adaptability to both saltwater and freshwater habitats. This dual residency not only showcases their resilience but also makes them accessible to anglers in a variety of settings.

Coho Salmon Fishing Tips

Coho salmon are typically caught in the late summer and early fall. They respond well to a variety of lures and flies, with bright colors often being the most effective. Trolling, casting, and fly fishing are popular methods. Areas like the Columbia River in Washington and the coastal waters of British Columbia are prime spots for Coho fishing.

Sockeye (Red) Salmon

Sockeye Salmon Characteristics

Sockeye salmon, known as Red salmon, are smaller than Chinook but are similarly prized for their bright red flesh and strong flavor. They are often targeted for both sport and commercial fishing.

Sockeye Salmon Habitat

Sockeye salmon are found in rivers and lakes from the Pacific Northwest up to Alaska, inhabiting a wide range of freshwater environments. These fish are particularly abundant in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, where they are a crucial part of the ecosystem and a major target for both commercial and sport fishing. Sockeye salmon begin their life in freshwater lakes and rivers, spending up to three years in these habitats before migrating to the ocean. In the ocean, they spend another one to four years maturing before returning to their natal freshwater environments to spawn. The Bristol Bay area is renowned for its massive Sockeye salmon runs, drawing anglers from around the world to experience the thrill of catching these vibrant, strong fish.

Sockeye Salmon Fishing Tips

The prime season for Sockeye fishing is typically mid-summer. Effective techniques include using flies that mimic their natural diet, such as krill or plankton. Popular fishing locations include the Kenai River and the Copper River in Alaska.

Pink (Humpback) Salmon

Pink Salmon Characteristics

Pink salmon, also known as Humpback salmon due to the distinctive hump males develop during spawning, are the smallest and most abundant of the Pacific salmon. They have light pink flesh and a mild flavor.

Pink Salmon Habitat

Pink salmon predominantly inhabit the colder waters of the northern Pacific, especially around Alaska, where the frigid environment supports their life cycle. These fish are uniquely known for their two-year life cycle, which dictates their population dynamics and fishing availability. As a result, large runs of Pink salmon occur every other year, creating abundant opportunities for anglers during these peak periods. After hatching in freshwater streams, juvenile Pink salmon quickly migrate to the ocean, where they spend about 18 months maturing. Once they reach adulthood, they return to their birth streams in massive numbers to spawn, continuing the cycle. This biennial rhythm makes Pink salmon both a reliable and exciting catch for those fishing in Alaskan waters.

Pink Salmon Fishing Tips

Peak times for Pink salmon runs are typically in late summer. They are often caught using light tackle and small lures. Rivers like the Stikine and the Nushagak in Alaska are popular for Pink salmon fishing.

Chum (Dog) Salmon

Chum Salmon Characteristics

Chum salmon, or Dog salmon, are known for their lower fat content and milder flavor. They are often used for smoking and canning due to their firm flesh.

Chum Salmon Habitat

Chum salmon are found in the waters of the northern Pacific Ocean and the rivers of Alaska and Canada. These fish demonstrate remarkable adaptability to a wide range of water conditions, thriving in both coastal marine environments and freshwater streams and rivers. Chum salmon start their lives in freshwater rivers, where they hatch and grow before making their way to the ocean. They spend several years in the ocean, navigating a variety of water conditions and temperatures, before returning to freshwater to spawn. This adaptability allows Chum salmon to inhabit diverse environments, making them a resilient and widely distributed species. Like the other types of salmon outlined here, their ability to thrive in different habitats also ensures that they are a reliable catch for anglers in various regions.

Chum Salmon Fishing Tips

The best seasons for Chum salmon fishing are late summer and early fall. Using brightly colored flies and lures can be effective, as Chum salmon are attracted to vibrant colors. Notable fishing areas include the Yukon River and the Fraser River.

Atlantic Salmon

Atlantic Salmon Characteristics

Atlantic salmon have a milder flavor and tender flesh. While less common in the wild due to overfishing and habitat loss, they are widely farmed and remain a popular target for sport fishing. Salmon connoisseurs may be averse to farmed Atlantic Salmon, however wild caught and fresh is still a culinary prize.

Atlantic Salmon Habitat

Atlantic salmon are native to the North Atlantic Ocean, with a historic range that includes the rivers of Europe and North America. In North America, these salmon once thrived in the rivers of New England and eastern Canada, where they played a significant role in local ecosystems and cultures. Atlantic salmon begin their life in freshwater rivers and streams, spending their early years growing and developing before migrating to the ocean. After several years in the marine environment, where they grow larger and stronger, they return to their natal rivers to spawn. Despite challenges such as overfishing and habitat loss, efforts to restore Atlantic salmon populations in their historic ranges are ongoing, aiming to bring back these majestic fish to the rivers where they once flourished.

Atlantic Salmon Fishing Tips

Optimal seasons for Atlantic salmon fishing are spring and early summer. Fly fishing is a traditional and effective method, with anglers using a variety of flies to match local insect hatches. Notable rivers for Atlantic salmon fishing include the Miramichi River in New Brunswick and the Penobscot River in Maine.

Understanding the different types of salmon can greatly enhance your fishing experience. Each species offers unique challenges and rewards, making salmon fishing an exciting pursuit. Explore our fishing charters to find the perfect trip for targeting these incredible fish, and book your next fishing trip today!