Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tschawytscha
Common Names
Chinook Salmon, King Salmon, Spring Salmon, Blackmouth, Tschawytscha, Chin, King, Magnum, Shaker
Lake Michigan Sport Catch in Wisconsin
200,000-300,000 per year
Preferred Temperature Range
50-57 °F
Length
20-35 inches
Weight
5-35 pounds.
State Record
8/25/83; 43 pounds, 3 ounces, Lake Michigan
Identification
Adults are iridescent green to blue‐green on the back and top of head. The sides are silvery, turning to white on the belly. They have black spots (at least a few) on the upper half of their body and on all fins. Chinook differ from coho salmon and other Great Lakes salmonids by having grey or black mouth coloration with teeth set in black gums, a squared tail with spots on both halves, and 15‐19 rays in the anal fin.
