OtherCommon Names:

Chinook Salmon, Spring Salmon, Tyee, Quinnat,Blackmouth, Blackjaw

StateRecord:

97 pounds 4 ounces

IdentifyingFeatures:

King salmon have a silver body with darkspots on the back and tail. They also have black gums.

TypicalAdult:

Length:Up to 46 inches (sometimes up to 58 inches)
Weight: Up to 43 pounds (sometimes up to 125 pounds)
Life span: Up to 9 years

Habitat:

An anadromous (entering a river from thesea to breed) fish, the king salmon lives in the Northern Pacific Oceanbut enters large Pacific coastal streams to spawn. The preferred watertemperature is 53-57 °F.

FeedingBehavior:

King salmon feed on other fish, as well assquid, shrimp, crab larvae, and other crustaceans.

ReproductiveBehavior (Spawning):

When:Fall, but may have separate runs in the spring
Preferred Water Temperature: 40-55 °F
How: The female digs a large nest-like depression called a "redd"in a deep gravel riffle of main stream channels. She is accompanied byone dominant male and several smaller ones called "jacks." Thefemale guards the nest.

DidYou Know:

After spawning, the female king salmon guardsthe nest for up to two weeks and then dies.

The redd is sometimes 12 feet long and 1foot deep.

Some king salmon swim as far as 1,500 miles upstream to spawn.