The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Chum Salmon vs Pink Salmon
Two fish anglers routinely mix up. Here is what actually separates them — and when and where you are likely to meet each.
Side by Side
Chum Salmon Oncorhynchus keta
Typical: 24–28 in, 8–15 lb
Quickest tell: A spotless back and tail combined with a thin caudal peduncle and white-tipped anal/pelvic fins separate chum from spotted pinks/coho and from spotless sockeye (use gill-raker count to split chum from sockeye).
- No distinct spots on back or tail
- Silver at sea; spawners show purple/green vertical 'calico' bars
- Whitish tips on anal and pelvic fins
- Narrow caudal peduncle (thin tail base)
- Large, often white-rimmed pupil/eye
Pink Salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha
Typical: 18–25 in, 3–5 lb
Quickest tell: Big oval spots covering the WHOLE tail plus the tiniest scales of any salmon clinch a pink; coho spot only the upper lobe and chum has no real spots.
- Large oval/oblong black blotches over the entire tail AND on the back
- Very small scales (smallest of any Pacific salmon)
- Bright silver at sea; smallest, most slender Pacific salmon
- Spawning males develop a pronounced humped back
When Each Is Running July — current month highlighted
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chum Salmon | ||||||||||||
| Pink Salmon |
Peak Good Fair Slow
Where Chum Salmon and Pink Salmon Overlap
Both run in Alaska — Southcentral & Southeast — that is where telling them apart actually matters.