How to catch King Salmon (Chinook)
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Also known as chinook, spring salmon.
King salmon are the largest of the Pacific salmon and a premier saltwater troll target off Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
🏆 World record: 97 lb IGFA all-tackle, Kenai River, Alaska, USA (1985). IGFA all-tackle world record chinook, or king, salmon, 97 pounds 4 ounces caught in the Kenai River, Alaska in 1985. IGFA records can change over time, so check igfa.org for the current mark. All records →
Where to find them
Nearshore saltwater, points, and river mouths
Season
Late spring through summer
Best baits & lures for King Salmon (Chinook)
Troll cut-plug herring and flashers at depth near points and bait. Tide changes concentrate fish around structure.
Timing matters as much as tackle. Baitful reads the tide stage, pressure trend, solunar windows and weather at your spot and scores the bite, so you fish King Salmon (Chinook) when conditions line up.
Catch to table: King Salmon (Chinook)
Also called Chinook, the richest and most prized Pacific salmon. Keep legal fish and enjoy the fatty, flavorful fillets.
Taste: Rich, fatty, deep orange-red flesh with a full salmon flavor and buttery texture. The most luxurious of the salmon.
Cleaning: Fillet along the backbone, remove the pin bones with pliers, and portion; leave the skin on for grilling and crisping.
How to cook it
- • Grill skin-on fillets over medium heat.
- • Cure into gravlax or cold-smoke into lox.
- • Roast with lemon, dill, and butter.
Tip: Bleed and ice immediately; pull the pin bones before cooking and avoid overcooking the rich flesh.
Ikejime this fish for firmer, cleaner-tasting fillets and longer shelf life.
Where to catch King Salmon (Chinook)
Book a King Salmon (Chinook) charter
Guides and charter boats that target King Salmon (Chinook), by destination:
Catching King Salmon (Chinook): FAQ
What's the best bait for King Salmon (Chinook)?
Proven options include trolled herring, flashers and spoons, hoochies. Troll cut-plug herring and flashers at depth near points and bait. Tide changes concentrate fish around structure.
When is the best time to catch King Salmon (Chinook)?
Late spring through summer. Day to day, moving water and low-light periods around dawn and dusk usually fish best.
Where do you find King Salmon (Chinook)?
Look for Nearshore saltwater, points, and river mouths. Anglers target them at spots like Sitka, San Francisco, Homer.
Anglers also target
Time your next King Salmon (Chinook) trip
Free live conditions, Bite Score, and what's biting now.
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