Chinook / King Salmon

Threatened and Endangered Species

The California Department of Fish and Game identifies the Chinook / King Salmon as a threatened and endangered species (T&E).

Chinook / King Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) is an anadromous fish that enters coastal streams to breed, while living its adult life in the ocean. This amazing fish can live in freshwater and in saltwater. This is an ancient fish that lived during the dinosaur era. The "Chinook" tribe of the Columbia River relied on this fish for food. Its common name, "king", refers to its great size-it can weigh up to 97 lb. In Silvergate, we receive only the fall-run Chinook during September and October.