Blog Posts - Categorized Under Know Your Salmon

Though less well-known internationally, Sweden—and especially Swedish Lapland—is a prime destination for Atlantic salmon fishing, particularly prized for its large Baltic salmon. These fish, which belong to the same species as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), can exceed 25 kg (55 lbs), with specimens over 100 cm routinely caught in the country's wild rivers.

Commonly referred to as “dog salmon” due to the appearance of mature males, chum salmon are found throughout the Pacific Rim, from Oregon to Alaska and as far afield as Japan and Korea.

Coho, also known as Silver Salmon, are swift, active fish. There are more distinct populations of coho than of any other Pacific salmon species in BC. These salmon are found in most BC coastal streams and in many streams from California to Alaska, but their major territory lies between the Columbia River and the Cook Inlet in Alaska.

Little is more exciting than catching ocean-fresh, hard-fighting king salmon off the Oregon Coast. Aside from being excellent table fare, salmon are among the hardest-fighting sport fish. Chinook, or king salmon, which are often abundant off the coast, are especially prized, and the primary target of most salmon fishing charters.

The best-known Pacific salmon, sockeye are highly sought after for their superior flesh, colour, and quality. Their rich oil content and deep red colour make them a favourite with both Canadian and international consumers.

Fishermen know these salmon as “humpbacks” or “humpies” due to the humped back developed in males as they return to spawn. This species is found in streams and rivers from California north to the Mackenzie River, with their principal spawning areas between Puget Sound, Washington, and Bristol Bay, Alaska. They migrate to their home stream from July to October, and while some travel considerable distances upstream, the majority spawn in waters close to the sea.

A favourite in the recreational fishery, the Chinook salmon is known by many names: King, blackmouth, quinnat, and chub are all references to this powerful fish — individuals over 14 kilograms (30 pounds) are often dubbed "Tyee".

Atlantic salmon have a long, thin body, small head, blunt nose and their mouth extends back below the eye. Adult salmon are silver in colour with nearly all white undersides and distinct dark blue-green, cross-like spots over the body and head. Atlantic salmon in Newfoundland and Labrador are generally less than 70 cm (28 inches) in length and weigh less than 4.5 kg (10 pounds). Atlantic salmon are a distant relative of Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) and closely related to Brown trout (Salmo trutta).