Click Here to Return to "How-To-Fish" Home Page

How to identify Salmon: How to tell if it is a Chinook or a Coho, a Fall Chinook, a King Salmon or ???

 

male chinook salmon

male chinook

 female chinook salmon

female chinook

Chinook Salmon: There are small irregular spots on the entire tail and the gums at the base of the teeth are black.

 

thanks to the Oregon dept. of fish and wildlife for this photo
male coho salmon

male coho

 female coho salmon

female coh

Coho Salmon: There are small irregular spots only on the upper half of the tail, and the gums at the base of the teeth are white.  Notice distinct black on tail and back.

 
male pink salmon

male pink salmon

 female pink salmon

female pink salmon

Pink Salmon: There are large oblong spots on the back and the entire tail