Chinook Salmon (also known as spring, tyee and king) - Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

How Can You Tell the Difference?

Anglers should use three or more distinguishing characteristics to properly identify all salmon. In the juvenile stage of chinook salmon, some fishers misidentify them as pinks because both have spots on their tails.

Description of chinook salmon in marine phase

Black gums and a silver, spotted tail distinguish the chinook from other salmonids. It has a lightly spotted blue-green back and is the largest, most prized game fish. The chinook lives from three to seven years. It weighs between 1.5 kg and 30 kg. Average-size chinooks are often known as springs in B.C. Those over 13.5 kg are called tyees, and in the U.S., chinook are called king salmon.

Description of chinook salmon in freshwater phase

Fresh run fish are very similar in appearance to salt water fish - lightly spotted blue-green back, black gums and a silver, spotted tail. As chinook mature, they become very dark in colour - some dark reddish, and others almost black.

Chinook Jaw   The chinook has black gums at the base of its teeth and its mouth is dark. In some areas it is known as "black mouth".

Chinook Tail The chinook has a flowing V-shaped, silvery tail that is generally covered with spots. The tail becomes more square as the chinook reaches adult stage.

Coho Salmon (also known as blueback and silver) - Oncorhynchus kisutch 

How Can You Tell the Difference?

Anglers should use three or more distinguishing characteristics to properly identify all salmon. Coho are sometimes confused with chum because they both have similar colouring. Always look for the coho’s white gums and a few spots on the tail.

Description of coho salmon in marine phase

Coho have white gums, black tongues and a few spots on the upper portion of their bodies and silver-coloured tails. They have a wide tail base. Bright silver with a metallic blue dorsal surface. Coho usually live for three years and grow rapidly in their final year. They weigh between 1.3 kg and 14 kg. In the Strait of Georgia from April to early June, small coho passing from the grilse stage to maturity are called bluebacks. 

Description of coho salmon in freshwater phase

Fresh run coho are very similar in appearance to salt water fish - bright silver with a metallic blue dorsal surface, and a wide tail base with a few spots on the upper portion of their silver-coloured tails. As coho mature, the males become reddish on the sides, and green on the back and head, often dark on belly. Females are less strongly coloured.

Coho Jaw The coho’s gums at the base of the teeth in the lower jaw are almost white. Its mouth is white but can have a black edge. It has a black tongue and it has sharp, strong teeth.

Coho Tail The coho has a square, silver - coloured tail with just a few scattered spots, usually on the upper portion of the tail. It has a wide tail base.