Scientific Name
Oncorhynchus kisutch
Image Credit
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Length
30-75 centimetres (12-30 inches)
Weight
2.25-4.5 kilograms (5-10 pounds)
Similar Species
Location
- native to the North Pacific Ocean
- introduced to the Great Lakes
- spend most of the year in the cold waters of the Great Lakes
- return to tributary streams to spawn
Description
- deep-bodied but thin from side to side
- blue or green back
- silvery sides
- white belly
- tail spotted on upper lobe only
- dark mouth, light grey gums
- leading ray on anal fin extends ½ - ⅔ the length of the fin
- short, narrow caudal peduncle (where body and tail join)
- smaller than Chinook salmon
Habitat
- juveniles and spawning adults prefer small streams
- gather at the mouth of rivers in the late summer and early fall before migrating upstream to spawn
Angling Tips
- very popular, feisty sporting fish
- usually caught near the surface and leap repeatedly, changing direction quickly
- smaller than Chinook salmon
- aggressive and likely to bite a wider range of baits and lures
- usually stop feeding once they move upstream in fall, but are aggressive and territorial and will hit lures in defense--try rattle baits, spinners and plugs
- down rigging and trolling work best when fishing in the Great Lakes
- troll deep with plugs, spoons and live or dead bait
- still-fish in moderately deep water using live, salted or fresh-cut herring
Common Bait
- plugs, spoons
- trolling flies
- live or dead bait