How to Identify Chum Salmon

To identify Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

torpedo

Coloration

In the ocean, Chum Salmon are metallic greenish-blue on the back with silver flanks and a white belly, often with faint, irregular speckles on the back and caudal fin. During spawning, males develop striking vertical bars of dark green and purple/red on their flanks, a dark back, and a pale belly. Females also darken but less dramatically, often showing a mottled brown and black pattern.

Scale type

cycloid

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Absence of distinct spots on the back and caudal fin (unlike Chinook and Coho, though faint speckles can occur)., Large, canine-like teeth in spawning males, giving rise to the 'Dog Salmon' name., Pronounced kype (hooked jaw) in spawning males., Pale mouth with a white gum line (distinguishes from Chinook and Coho).

Dorsal fin

Single dorsal fin, relatively short, with 10-14 rays. Adipose fin present.

Tail fin

Moderately forked caudal fin, often with a slightly pointed upper lobe.

Pectoral fin

Relatively small, positioned low on the body.

Distinctive fins

Pelvic fins are abdominal, located beneath the dorsal fin. Anal fin has 13-17 rays.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Ocean Phase Coloration

   Silvery flanks, metallic greenish-blue back, and a white belly. Lacks prominent spots on the back and tail, though some faint speckling may be present.

2. 2

   Spawning Phase Coloration (Males)

   Dramatic vertical bars of dark green and purple/red on the flanks, dark back, and pale belly. This 'calico' pattern is highly distinctive.

3. 3

   Mouth and Gums

   The inside of the mouth is typically pale or white, and the gum line is distinctly white. This differentiates it from Chinook (black mouth, black gums) and Coho (black mouth, white gums).

4. 4

   Teeth

   Spawning males develop large, prominent canine-like teeth, giving them a 'dog-like' appearance.

5. 5

   Caudal Peduncle

   Relatively slender caudal peduncle (the narrow part of the body connecting to the tail fin).

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