Pacific Salmon Identification

As prepared by Steve Thiesfeld Puget Sound Salmon Recreational Salmon Fishery Manager of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Chinook (King) * Mouth is dark with a black gum line * Large, sharp teeth * Spots on both lobes of tail * Large spots on back
Coho (Silver) * Mouth is light with white gum line * Medium size, sharp teeth * Spots only on upper lobe of tail * Spots on back * Wide caudal peduncle
Pink (Humpy) * Mouth is white with black gum line * In marine areas, almost no teeth * Large oval spots on both lobes of tail * Large black spots on back * Pointed lower jaw * No silver on tail * Very small scales
Chum (Dog) * Mouth is white with a white gum line * Well developed teeth * No spots on tail or back * Calico markings (vertical bars) - faint on bright fish * Narrow caudal peduncle * White tip on anal fin
Sockeye (Red) * Mouth is white with a white gum line * Almost toothless * No spots on tail or back * Large bright gold glassy eye * Deep blue color on back

Besides looking at the Gums, you can also tell a Coho by the tail. The black dots are not as pronounced, or non-existant. Plus the tail of a Coho is softer. Make a fist and slide your hand over the tail. If it is stiff or rigid, it's a Chinook if it's soft and folds, it is a Coho. Many fishermen have been fooled by only looking at the mouth.

The Coho are huge on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. It's easy to mistake one in late July when you're not expecting Eighteen pound Coho. Seen many Coho mistaken as Chinook simply because of size.