| 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!) |
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 rules can differ by species, area, and notice. Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Pink, and Chum do not always share the same retention answer.
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 plan to keep salmon in BC, first separate freshwater from tidal water. Freshwater salmon retention can require the provincial non-tidal Salmon Conservation Surcharge, while tidal salmon retention requires a DFO tidal waters licence plus the Salmon Conservation Stamp. The tidal stamp is an add-on, not an automatic part of the base licence.
Chinook Salmon (King Salmon) — Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
The biggest one. Chinook are usually the largest Pacific salmon an angler encounters. Size helps, but mouth colour and tail spots are better checks than size alone.
How to identify:
• Black mouth — Look inside the lower jaw. Chinook commonly have a distinctive dark or black gum line. This is one of the strongest quick checks when separating Chinook from Coho.
• 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: Timing depends on the river system and management area. Spring, summer, and fall Chinook opportunities should be checked against the current DFO notice for the exact water.
2026 regulatory significance: Chinook carry some of the strictest Pacific salmon rules. Daily limits, retention, mark-selective opportunities, and barbless-hook requirements can change by DFO area and notice. You may also need to record the length of retained Chinook on the tidal licence where the rule requires it. 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 often jump hard when hooked, but behaviour alone is not enough for identification.
How to identify:
• Silver sides (in ocean) — Bright silver colouring is common before spawning colours develop.
• 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: Coho timing is often a fall planning question, but the exact answer depends on the river, DFO area, and current opening.
Hatchery vs. wild — the adipose fin test: In mark-selective fisheries, retention can depend on whether the adipose fin is clipped. DFO's Salmon Head Recovery Program asks anglers to submit heads from some hatchery-marked Chinook and Coho so coded-wire tags can be recovered. Check the DFO Pacific instructions and current area rule before keeping a marked fish.
Sockeye Salmon (Red Salmon) — Oncorhynchus nerka
The colour-change one. Sockeye can shift from blue-green in the ocean to a 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: Sockeye timing depends on the system and cycle year. The Fraser River is the best-known example, but run strength and fishing opportunity are not the same thing.
Regulatory alert: Sockeye fisheries can change quickly based on in-season run information. Check DFO in-season fishery notices before targeting Sockeye and again before keeping one.
Pink Salmon (Humpy) — Oncorhynchus gorbuscha
The small run-year one. Pink salmon are the smallest Pacific salmon and can be abundant 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 — important for 2026 planning: Pink salmon have a two-year lifecycle. Many mainland B.C. systems, including the Fraser, are mainly odd-year planning questions, while some local even-year runs exist. 2026 is not the main Fraser Pink cycle, so check DFO notices before planning a Pink-focused trip.
Why it matters: During strong run years, Pink salmon opportunities can be easier to find, but retention still depends on the area, date, and current notice.
Chum Salmon (Dog Salmon) — Oncorhynchus keta
The late-run one. Chum salmon can grow large and are often encountered in fall fisheries.
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 regulations vary by river and area. Some waters allow retention; others are catch-and-release only, and the answer can change by notice.
The Steelhead Trap — Don't Confuse Steelhead with Salmon
This is a high-risk misidentification. Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are not salmon — they are sea-run rainbow trout. They can look similar enough to Pacific salmon that anglers confuse them, especially in rivers where both 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: Wild Steelhead are release-only on many B.C. rivers, and some populations are under serious conservation concern. Retaining the wrong trout-like fish can lead to significant penalties.
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: Some hatchery fish receive coded-wire tags before release. The clipped adipose fin can signal that a tag may be present and that DFO wants the head submitted if the fish is legally retained. Check the Salmon Head Recovery Program instructions for the current drop-off path.
Mark-selective fisheries: In designated areas, retention can depend on whether the fish is hatchery-marked, meaning the adipose fin is clipped. Some Chinook opportunities also carry single-barbless-hook requirements. Always check the specific DFO area regulation and current notice before keeping a marked Chinook or Coho.
How to check: Before keeping any Chinook or Coho where mark status matters, look along the back between the dorsal fin and the tail. A smooth area may mean the adipose fin has been clipped; a small, soft fin means it is present. Check carefully before any retention decision.
Quick ID Cheat Sheet For The River
Still not sure? Take a photo and release the fish. Check the ID later. When in doubt, treat it as release-only and keep fishing only after you understand the current rule for the area.
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.