Skip to content

The Chum Salmon

Chum Salmon spends most of its growth period at sea, then returns to fresh water to spawn. Breeding fish change dramatically, developing bold flank markings and, in males, the prominent teeth behind the nickname dog salmon.

Chum Salmon fishing guide

Identification

Ocean fish have a metallic green-blue back and silvery sides. Spawning adults develop strong red and dark bars or blotches. Males acquire enlarged canine-like teeth and a pronounced hooked-jaw appearance. Color changes with maturity, so a bright ocean fish and a strongly marked river fish can be the same species.

An Early Move to Salt Water

Young chum generally leave fresh water soon after emerging, using estuaries before moving farther offshore. This contrasts with the longer freshwater nursery period of coho. Adults range through the North Pacific and return to freshwater spawning areas after several years at sea.

Food and Reproduction

Small crustaceans and other marine prey support growth at sea. Mature fish stop feeding as they approach spawning, and adults die after reproduction. Spawning timing varies substantially among runs, from late summer into winter or early spring. Local run information therefore matters more than a single coastwide calendar.

Fork Length Is Different

The 100-centimeter measurement ends at the fork of the tail. NOAA’s approximately 3.6-foot upper length uses an unspecified convention, so the two should not be treated as identical measurements.

All Lakes With Chum Salmon

Browse all lakes and reservoirs with confirmed Chum Salmon records in our database, listed alphabetically.

Showing 1–24 of 100 lakes · Page 1 of 5

✉Join the Fishing Tips Daily newsletter waiting list

Our newsletter is not sending yet. Leave your email if you would like to hear from us when it launches.

By joining, you agree to receive our newsletter when it launches. To request removal before then, contact us. Read our privacy policy.