Chinook Salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Also called king salmon, Chinook are the largest Pacific salmon species and power world-class fisheries from the Pacific Northwest rivers to the Great Lakes. They stage off river mouths in late summer and run upstream to spawn in fall, offering anglers a shot at a true heavyweight freshwater trophy.

Seasonal Activity

Best Techniques

• big-lake trolling with downriggers
• pier casting
• back-trolling plugs in rivers
• drifting spawn

Top Baits

• spoons
• flashers with flies
• J-plugs
• spawn bags
• crankbaits