How many species of salmon are there and how large can they get?
There are seven species of Pacific salmon. Five of them occur in North American waters: chinook, coho, chum, sockeye, and pink. Masu and amago salmon occur only in Asia. There is one species of Atlantic salmon.
Chinook/King salmon are the largest salmon and get up to 58 inches (1.5 meters) long and 126 pounds (57.2 kg). Pink salmon are the smallest at up to 30 inches (0.8 meters) long and 12 pounds (5.4 kg), although they average 3 to 5 pounds (1.3-2.3 kg).
Note: Steelhead trout are often listed as an eighth Pacific salmon, but unlike other Pacific salmon, they are capable of repeat spawning and do not die after spawning. It has been suggested that they be grouped with other fish as “Pacific Trout”.
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Brown bears (Ursus arctos) and Chum (Salmon Oncorhynchus)
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Chinook Salmon Released into Yukon River, AK
Chinook salmon released into Yukon River in Alaska, USA.
Radio-tagged Kasilof River coho salmon
Radio tagged coho salmon from the Kasilof River in Alaska
Canada lynx
Bear predation on salmon can be high in many Alaskan rivers. Brown bears Ursus arctos and Chum Salmon Oncorhynchus keta are managed concurrently in McNeil River State Game Sanctuary by Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game to benefit the salmon, bears, commercial fishers, and provide unparalleled close-up bear viewing and photography opportunities for the public.
Acoustic-tagged juvenile Chinook salmon being released
Acoustic-tagged juvenile Chinook salmon being released.
Releasing a Radio-Tagged Adult Chinook
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