Chinook Salmon

Description
This native fish is one of the most fascinating fishes found in Idaho. Its body is silver to olive-colored. The inside of its mouth is unique; it's black. They range from 18-40 inches and can attain a weight of 45 pounds.

Most of Idaho's Chinook migrate to the ocean for part of their lives. At one time, these fish were found in many of the state's river drainages. However, changes in habitat, including dam construction on the Columbia and Snake rivers, put these fish in a precarious position. The population has declined and hatchery programs are needed. Despite hatchery programs, only a few Chinook return to Idaho each year.

Fishery managers have stocked land-locked populations of Chinook in several Idaho lakes.

Life History
Chinook return to their spawning habitat in the fall after one to three years at sea. The female builds a large redd (nest) that may be six feet in diameter and one to four feet deep.

They lay between 4,500 and 10,000 eggs. When spawning is completed, both male and female die. The eggs hatch in the spring and the juvenile fish live the next year in fresh water, except for fall chinook that only live a couple months in fresh water before leaving for the ocean.

Feeding Habits
Young fish in fresh water eat both aquatic and terrestrial insects. They turn to a diet of fish once they reach salt water. Adults returning to spawn do not eat; they live off their fat reserves.

Angling Techniques
Regulations require the use of rod and reel when fishing for chinook. In streams, chinook strike bright lures or fresh roe.

In lakes, the land-locked Chinook are caught by trolling flashy lures and/or large flies on down riggers, or by jigging large lures near the bottom.