chum-salmon
Species Facts

Science Name: Oncorhynchus keta
Other Names: Dog salmon, autumn salmon, calico salmon
Ideal Temp: 52 to 58
World Record: 35 lbs. British Columbia
Environment: river, coastal
Techniques: light tackle, casting
Description

A mature adult chum is usually about 25 inches in length and 10 pounds in weight. The snout is bluntly pointed but greatly extended, compressed and turned down in breeding males; the lower jaw is enlarged and turned up at the tip making it impossible to close this sharp toothed mouth. Breeding male chums also have a slight hump before the dorsal fin and notice a distinct color change. A steel-blue and the back and upper sides with fine black speckles turning into a silver-white on the belly characterize the chum.

Distribution This species is found in the Pacific and Arctic Oceans and Okhotsk and Bering Seas.

Spawning Habits The spawning fish migrate to the rivers anywhere from July to early January. They rarely penetrate a river more than 100 miles and often spawn in tidal areas showing a lesser ability to surmount obstacles than other species. An average female will lay 2400- 3100 eggs before dying a few days later. Hatching usually occurs from late December to late February. They remain in the gravel until late April to early May when they migrate to the sea. Food intake includes diatoms, dipterous insects, fish larvae, fish and squid. Adults in fresh water do not take food. A peculiarity is due to the two year life span, the spawn of any given "stock" is either and odd or even year. For example, the Fraser River has a predominantly odd year cycle and the Queen Charlottes have an even year cycle.

Habitat Anadromous, entering Pacific coastal streams to spawn. They are not strong leapers, so they swim upstream only to the first major barrier, which generally is not far. They prefer water temperatures from 54 to 57F, and avoid temperatures above 59.

Food Habits At sea, chum salmon feed on plankton, small fish, squid, crab larvae and crustaceans. They do not feed after they enter the streams, but can still be caught on artificial lures.

Relation to Man Chum salmon have always been of particular importance to native people as food for themselves and their dogs. This white fleshed fish is caught commercially to be sold fresh, frozen, dry salted or smoked. They are now considered a sport fish and are being sought after by North American anglers.

Table Quality While chum salmon are considered good eating, the flesh is not rated as highly as that of other salmon. It has a pinkish color and is lower in fat than chinook, coho or sockeye.

Hybrids Known to hybridize with pink salmon.

Age and Growth Chum salmon generally spawn at age 2 to 7, most commonly at age 4. Both sexes die after spawning. The average adult weighs 5 to 10 pounds; males are generally heavier than females.

Tips for Fishing

Chum salmon are strong fighters, but do not provide much of a sport fishery. Because they enter the streams in an advanced state of sexual maturity, they spend no more than 2 or 3 weeks in fresh water. Some are caught in tidal areas of coastal streams. The best lures are spinners and small spoons.