| Test | Result | Species |
|---|---|---|
| Black mouth/gum line? | Yes | Chinook (King) |
| Spots on upper tail lobe only? | Yes | Coho (Silver) |
| No spots at all? | Small (2.5-3.5 kg), blue/red | Sockeye (Red) |
| No spots at all? | Larger (4-7 kg), calico bars or white tail edge | Chum (Dog) |
| Large oval spots + thin tail wrist? | Small (1.5-2.5 kg), hump on males | Pink (Humpy) |
| Small scattered spots on full tail + pink stripe? | Square tail, no black gums | Steelhead (NOT salmon — release!) |
Quick Answer — 5 Species, 5 Key Differences
Canada's Pacific coast (primarily BC and Yukon) has 5 species of Pacific salmon: Chinook (King), Coho (Silver), Sockeye (Red), Pink (Humpy), and Chum (Dog). Knowing which species you've caught matters because regulations differ dramatically by species — Chinook may have a daily limit of 1 with mandatory length recording, while Pink salmon might allow 4 per day. Misidentification can result in fines under both provincial and federal fisheries law.
Here's the quick cheat sheet: Chinook = big with black mouth and spots on both tail lobes. Coho = silver with spots on upper tail only + white gums. Sockeye = NO spots, blue-green/vivid red. Pink = small with large oval spots + thin tail wrist. Chum = NO spots (ocean) or calico bars (spawning).
If you're salmon fishing in BC, you almost certainly need a Salmon Conservation Stamp in addition to your fishing licence. For tidal (saltwater) salmon, you need a DFO tidal waters licence — which automatically includes the salmon stamp. Check before you go.
Chinook Salmon (King Salmon) — Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
The biggest one. Chinook are the largest Pacific salmon — adults commonly weigh 10–25 kg (22–55 lbs), with some Fraser River Chinook exceeding 30 kg. If you catch something enormous, it's probably a Chinook.
How to identify:
• Black mouth — Look inside the lower jaw. Chinook have a distinctive dark/black gum line. This is the single most reliable identification feature and the #1 test COs (Conservation Officers) use.
• Spots on BOTH lobes of the tail — Small irregular black spots cover the entire tail fin (upper and lower lobes).
• Spots on the back and dorsal fin — Black spots scattered across the upper back and dorsal fin.
• Large size — Generally the biggest salmon you'll encounter. Even "jacks" (early-returning males) are typically 3–5 kg.
When you'll see them: Spring/summer runs (April–August) and fall runs (September–November) depending on the river system. The Fraser, Skeena, and Nass rivers have the largest BC Chinook runs.
2026 regulatory significance: Chinook have the strictest regulations of any Pacific salmon. Daily limits of 1 fish in many areas. Some specific Chinook stocks are entirely catch-and-release due to SARA (Species at Risk Act) concerns — particularly interior Fraser Chinook. As of April 1, 2026, DFO mark-selective fisheries require single barbless hooks when fishing for Chinook in designated areas. You must record the length of every retained Chinook on your tidal licence. Always check DFO in-season notices and the specific area regulations before keeping any Chinook.
Coho Salmon (Silver Salmon) — Oncorhynchus kisutch
The acrobatic one. Coho are famous for jumping repeatedly when hooked — if your fish launches out of the water 5 times, it's likely a Coho.
How to identify:
• Silver sides (in ocean) — Bright, brilliant silver colouring that gives them their nickname. The most "chrome" looking of all salmon.
• Spots on UPPER tail lobe only — This is the key difference from Chinook (which has spots on both lobes). Look closely — this single distinction separates the two most commonly confused species.
• White/light gum line — Inside the mouth is lighter coloured, unlike Chinook's black gums. Open the jaw and check.
• Medium size — Adults typically 3–6 kg (7–14 lbs). Smaller than Chinook, larger than Pink and Sockeye.
When you'll see them: Primarily fall (September–November). Coho are the dominant fall salmon run in many BC rivers.
Hatchery vs. wild — the adipose fin test: In many BC rivers, you may keep hatchery Coho (adipose fin clipped — the small fleshy fin between the dorsal fin and tail is missing) but must release wild Coho (intact adipose fin). DFO's Salmon Head Recovery Program asks anglers to submit heads from hatchery-marked Chinook and Coho to recover coded-wire tags — this data is critical for coast-wide stock assessment. Drop-off locations are listed on the DFO Pacific website.
Sockeye Salmon (Red Salmon) — Oncorhynchus nerka
The most dramatic one. Sockeye undergo the most striking colour change of any salmon — from blue-green in the ocean to brilliant red body with a green head during spawning.
How to identify:
• NO spots — Sockeye have no distinct black spots on the body, back, or tail. This is the easiest way to distinguish them from Chinook, Coho, and Pink (all of which have spots).
• Blue-green back (ocean phase) — Steel blue-green colour on back with bright silver sides.
• Bright red body + green head (spawning) — Unmistakable. No other salmon turns this vivid red.
• Compact body — Adults typically 2.5–3.5 kg (5–8 lbs). Streamlined and torpedo-shaped.
• Many, fine gill rakers — Sockeye have 28–40 gill rakers (vs 19–26 for other Pacific salmon) because they eat plankton. This is an expert-level ID feature useful when colour alone is not enough.
When you'll see them: Summer runs (June–August) in most systems. The Fraser River Sockeye run is one of the world's great wildlife spectacles — the dominant cycle sees millions of fish.
Regulatory alert: Sockeye fisheries can open and close with as little as 24 hours notice based on real-time run size estimates from DFO test fishing. Check DFO in-season fishery notices the morning of your trip before targeting Sockeye. Accessing the wrong section at the wrong time — even by accident — can result in enforcement action.
Pink Salmon (Humpy) — Oncorhynchus gorbuscha
The small, abundant one. Pink salmon are the most numerous Pacific salmon — and the smallest. They're the most common species for first-time salmon anglers to catch because of their sheer numbers during run years.
How to identify:
• Large, oval black spots on back and BOTH tail lobes — Similar to Chinook but the spots are noticeably larger and more oval-shaped (Chinook spots are smaller and more irregular).
• Small size — Adults typically 1.5–2.5 kg (3–5 lbs). The smallest Pacific salmon. If you catch a small, spotted salmon, it's likely a Pink.
• Male hump (spawning) — Males develop a pronounced dorsal hump during spawning, giving them the nickname "Humpy."
• Very thin tail base (wrist) — Compared to other salmon, the caudal peduncle (where you'd grip for a photo) is noticeably thin and narrow.
The odd-year cycle — critical for 2026 planning: Pink salmon have a strict 2-year lifecycle. Most BC rivers (including the Fraser) see major runs only in odd years (2025, 2027, 2029). The 2025 Fraser Pink run was forecast at 27–29 million fish — potentially among the largest since 1959. 2026 is an even year — there will be essentially no Pink salmon run in the Fraser and most other BC rivers. No directed fisheries are planned. If you're planning a Pink salmon trip, target 2027.
Why it matters: During odd-year run years, Pink salmon have the most generous regulations (daily limit of 4 in many tidal areas) because they're so abundant. They're also the best eating when caught fresh from the ocean — the flesh quality declines quickly once they enter rivers and begin spawning transformation.
Chum Salmon (Dog Salmon) — Oncorhynchus keta
The underrated one. Chum salmon are often overlooked by anglers but can grow large (5–8 kg) and fight hard. They're increasingly targeted by fly fishers as populations of other species face restrictions.
How to identify:
• NO spots (ocean phase) — Like Sockeye, ocean-going Chum lack distinct spots. They're silver with a blue-green back.
• Calico bars (spawning) — During spawning, Chum develop distinctive vertical bars of red, green, and purple along their sides. Males also grow large, curved "dog teeth" (hence "Dog Salmon").
• Larger than Pink and Sockeye — Adults typically 4–7 kg (9–15 lbs). Bigger than Sockeye, smaller than Chinook.
• Tip of tail often has white edge — A subtle but helpful feature when distinguishing from ocean-phase Sockeye.
• No spots on dorsal fin — In ocean phase, this helps separate them from Chinook and Coho.
When you'll see them: Late fall runs (October–December). Chum are often the last salmon to spawn each year, extending the fishing season when other species are done.
Why it matters: Chum are excellent sport fish on light tackle but regulations vary by river. They're commonly targeted on small pink or chartreuse flies and spinners. Some rivers allow retention; others are catch-and-release only. Chum flesh is less prized fresh (often pale, lower oil content) but is excellent when smoked or cured.
The Steelhead Trap — Don't Confuse Steelhead with Salmon
This misidentification can cost you thousands of dollars. Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are NOT salmon — they are sea-run rainbow trout. But they look similar enough to Pacific salmon that anglers regularly confuse them, especially in rivers where both species are present.
How to identify Steelhead (and avoid keeping one by mistake):
• Small, scattered spots across the ENTIRE tail — Unlike salmon spots, Steelhead have fine spots distributed evenly across the entire tail fin
• Square-ish tail — Steelhead tails are less forked than salmon tails
• Pink/red lateral stripe — A rainbow-like band along the side (more visible in spawning fish)
• White mouth — No black gum line (unlike Chinook)
• Silvery overall — In ocean/river entry phase, very chrome and bright
Why this matters enormously: Wild Steelhead are mandatory catch-and-release on most BC rivers. Many Steelhead populations are critically endangered. BC's fine for retaining a wild Steelhead can reach $1,000+ per fish and may include a fishing ban. The Skeena, Chilcotin, and Thompson River Steelhead populations are of particular conservation concern.
If you catch a trout-like fish in a BC river during salmon season and you're not 100% certain it's a salmon — release it. Take a photo for later identification. The penalty for keeping a Steelhead thinking it was a Coho is far worse than releasing a legal Coho thinking it might be a Steelhead.
Hatchery vs. Wild — The Adipose Fin Test
In many BC fisheries, whether you can keep a salmon depends entirely on whether it's hatchery-origin or wild. This is determined by one simple physical check:
The adipose fin is a small, fleshy fin located between the dorsal fin and the tail. DFO's mass marking program clips this fin at the hatchery before release. A missing adipose fin = hatchery fish. An intact adipose fin = wild fish (in most cases).
Why DFO clips the fin: Hatchery fish receive coded-wire tags (tiny metal tags inserted into the snout) before release. The clipped adipose fin tells anglers "there's a tag inside — if you keep this fish, submit the head." DFO's Salmon Head Recovery Program recovers these tags from angler-submitted heads, providing critical stock assessment data used to manage fisheries coast-wide. Over 300 million juvenile salmon are released annually from BC hatcheries under the Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP).
Mark-selective fisheries (2026 update): As of April 1, 2026, DFO has expanded Chinook mark-selective fisheries. In designated areas, you may only retain hatchery-marked (fin-clipped) Chinook — all wild (unmarked) Chinook must be released. Single barbless hooks are mandatory when fishing for Chinook in mark-selective areas. Always check the specific DFO area regulations.
How to check: Before keeping any Chinook or Coho, run your finger along the back between the dorsal fin and the tail. A smooth area means the adipose fin has been clipped (hatchery). A small, soft fin means it's present (wild). In turbid water or with tired fish, it takes only 2 seconds to check. Do it every time.
Quick ID Cheat Sheet — Use This at the River
Still not sure? Take a photo and release the fish. Check the ID later. When in doubt, treat it as the most restrictive species — if you think it might be a Chinook with a daily limit of 1, don't keep a second one. Better cautious than fined.
Laminated ID cards: Download a salmon ID card from the DFO Pacific or GoFishBC websites — many are designed to laminate and clip to your vest or tackle box. Some tackle shops near major salmon rivers stock them for free.