(Oncorhynchus tschawytscha)
This species has a multiplicity of names, being known in different
localities as chinook, quinnat, king, Sacramento river and Columbia
river salmon, besides half a dozen or more Indian names. Its
distribution is the widest of any of the Pacific salmon, ranging on
both sides of the ocean from the latitude of Monterey Bay to Behring
Straits. The run begins on the Columbia river as early as the latter
part of February, many of the fish going up its tributaries 1000 miles
or more to spawn. Farther south the run becomes gradually later.
The spawning season also varies with the locality, and ranges from the
latter part of July to the middle of November. The date of spawning
seems to be determined by the temperature of the water, for it is said
that the salmon will not spawn, even if on the spawning grounds, until
the water has fallen to a temperature of 54 degrees Fahrenheit.
The chinook salmon is the largest of the family, specimens having been
taken in Alaska waters that have weighed 100 pounds, while 50 to 60
pound fish are common. Those taken in the Columbia river are said to
average 22 pounds, while the average of the Sacramento river catch is
16.
Head, rather pointed; eye, small and situated a little in front of the
back of the mouth; body, rounded and full, the deepest part being
about midway of its length; pectoral fins, short and situated low and
just behind the gills; dorsal fin, nearly midway of the back; ventral
fins, a little behind the center of the dorsal; anal fin about half
way between the ventral and the tail; adipose fin, a little in front
of the rear of the ventrals; caudal fin, or tail, slightly forked.
The back, dorsal fin and tail are generally well covered with dark
brownish black spots. There are few spots as a rule on the head, and
those are of a slaty color.
There is always some variation in color, but usually the back is quite
dark, turning to bluish on the sides and light silver below. As the
spawning season approaches, the jaws of the males become lengthened
and badly distorted and the color changes to more of a pinkish hue and
blotched in appearance. The gills are never alike on both sides,
varying from 15 to 19 in number. (See plate giving names of all parts
mentioned.)