Chinook Salmon fishing
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha. Largest Pacific salmon; blue-green back, silvery sides, white belly, and black spots on the back and both tail lobes.
Chinook Salmon fishing uses a trolling spoon or a cured herring or anchovy on 20 to 25 lb line. Hatchery Chinook are reared in fresh water for three months to a year before release, depending on the run and hatchery, then migrate to sea to feed and grow before returning as adults, typically at age 3 or 4.
Published by Fishypedia · Sources last checked September 19, 2026
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
- Active times
- –
- Line
- 20–25 lb
- Hook sizes
- A 1/0 or 2/0 single hook for bait and drift rigs
- Stocked in
- 6 states
- Peak in AK
- June
Identification
- Largest Pacific salmon; blue-green back, silvery sides, white belly, and black spots on the back and both tail lobes.
- Black pigment along the gum line gives Chinook the nickname 'blackmouth', a reliable field mark.
- Typical mature fish run about 3 feet and 30 pounds, though fish over 100 pounds are documented.
- All Chinook salmon die after spawning, unlike steelhead, which can survive to spawn again.
Sources: wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 19, 2026 , fisheries.noaa.gov, accessed September 19, 2026
Top lures
Top baits
Line & tackle
- Line
- 20–25 lb
- Rod power
- Hook sizes
- A 1/0 or 2/0 single hook for bait and drift rigs
Sources: wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 19, 2026 , wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 19, 2026 , adfg.alaska.gov, accessed September 19, 2026
Stocked behavior
Hatchery Chinook are reared in fresh water for three months to a year before release, depending on the run and hatchery, then migrate to sea to feed and grow before returning as adults, typically at age 3 or 4. Because Chinook always die after spawning, a hatchery-origin fish caught far upriver is always making its one and only spawning run.
Common mistakes
- Chinook are the largest of the Pacific salmon, with some individuals growing to more than 100 pounds.
- Fishing high in the water column; WDFW says bottom is always a good bet for Chinook.
- Overlooking estuaries and terminal areas at river mouths, where trolling takes Chinook before they push upstream.
Best time to fish Chinook Salmon
Most commonly stocked in June in Alaska, based on 1241 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in July in Idaho, based on 18 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in May in Michigan, based on 44 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in June in Montana, based on 142 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in May in New York, based on 189 stocking events on record.
Where it's stocked
40 locations shown. Tap a pin for details. · Open this area in Google Maps
Alaska
Michigan
Montana
New York
Wisconsin
State records
| State | Weight | Angler | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 11.00 lbs | Helen Eaton | Williams Fork Reservoir (Grand County) | 1989 |
| Michigan | 47.86 lbs | – | Lake Michigan, Mason County | 2021 |
| Montana | 32.65 lbs. | Jim Fauth | Fort Peck Reservoir | 2024 |
| New York | 47 lb. 13 oz. | Kurtis Killian | Salmon River, Oswego Co. | 1991 |
| Washington | 68.26 lbs | Mark Salmon | Elochoman River, Wahkiakum County | 1992 |
| Wisconsin | 44 lbs. 15 oz. | – | Lake Michigan, Door County | 1994 |
Common questions
What lures work for Chinook Salmon?
Trolling spoon, a spoon in silver, chrome, and glow white. Herring-imitating plug, a crankbait in silver/blue and chrome. Bucktail jig, a jig in white and chartreuse.
What bait works for Chinook Salmon?
Cured herring or anchovy. Sand shrimp.
How big do Chinook Salmon get?
The Colorado record is 11.00 lbs from Williams Fork Reservoir (Grand County) in 1989. The Michigan record is 47.86 lbs from Lake Michigan, Mason County in 2021. The Washington record is 68.26 lbs from Elochoman River, Wahkiakum County in 1992. 3 more state records are on this page.