Where Does Chinook Salmon Live?

Chinook Salmon lives in specific habitats. Knowing where to look helps you find and identify it.

Where to find Chinook Salmon

Water type

freshwater

Depth

Ocean phase: surface to several hundred meters. Freshwater phase: shallow to moderate depths in rivers and streams.

Environment

Anadromous. Spends 1-8 years in the ocean (typically 3-5 years) and returns to natal freshwater rivers and streams for spawning. Requires cold, clear, well-oxygenated freshwater for spawning and rearing, and productive marine environments for growth.

Geographic range

Native to the North Pacific Ocean and its tributary rivers, from the Sacramento River in California north to the Yukon River in Alaska, and across to the Asian coast from Hokkaido, Japan, to the Anadyr River in Siberia. Introduced to other parts of the world, including the Great Lakes of North America, New Zealand, and Patagonia.

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