Salmonid
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha — also called King salmon, Tyee, Spring
The largest of the Pacific salmon and a stocked trophy in the Great Lakes. Chinook are anadromous on the West Coast (born in fresh, mature in salt, return to spawn) and land-locked in the Great Lakes. Both fisheries are highly regulated; verify before keeping fish.
- Range
- Pacific Coast (CA to AK), Great Lakes (stocked), Columbia/Snake river systems.
- Size
- Typical 15–30 lb; trophy 40 lb+; world record 97 lb 4 oz.
- Spawn temp
- 45–55°F
- Best seasons
- Summer (lake troll), Fall (river run), Spring
Best baits for chinook salmon
- Cured roe (river)
- Trolled flasher + cut-plug herring (saltwater)
- Spin-n-Glo
- Vibrax spinner
- Trolled spoon (lake)
Season by season
Spring
Saltwater trolling on the West Coast — cut-plug herring behind flashers on downriggers. 'Springers' on the Columbia are the most prized.
Summer
Great Lakes peak — Lake Michigan and Ontario charter fleets pull spoons and flies at depth. Find 50°F water and you'll find kings.
Fall
River run season. Fish stage in estuaries then push upriver to spawn. Roe, plugs, and spinners on the swing.
Winter
Saltwater 'blackmouth' (resident juveniles) in Puget Sound. Smaller fish but consistent action.
Local secret
In rivers, fish cured roe drifted along current seams above gravel runs. In lakes, troll cut-plug herring or spoons at 50–120 ft behind downriggers.
Top US waters for chinook salmon
- Lake Michigan
- Kenai River, AK
- Columbia River, OR/WA
- Sacramento River, CA
- Lake Ontario
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