U.S. wild-caught Chinook salmon is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations. However, some Chinook salmon are also protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Appearance

• When they’re in the ocean, Chinook salmon are blue-green on the back and top of the head with silvery sides and white bellies.
• They have black spots on the upper half of the body and on both lobes of the tail fin.
• Chinook salmon also have a black pigment along the gum line, thus the nickname "blackmouth."
• In fresh water, when they are about to spawn, Chinook change to olive brown, red, or purplish. This color change is particularly evident in males.
• Spawning adult males can be distinguished by their hooked upper jaw.
• Females can be distinguished by a torpedo-shaped body, robust mid-section, and blunt nose.
• Juveniles in fresh water (fry) have well-developed parr marks on their sides (the pattern of vertical bars and spots useful for camouflage).
• Before juveniles migrate to the sea, they lose their parr marks and gain the dark back and light belly characteristic of fish living in open water.

Biology

• Chinook salmon are anadromous—they hatch in freshwater streams and rivers then migrate out to the saltwater environment of the ocean to feed and grow.
• Chinook salmon are the largest of the Pacific salmon, hence the name “king salmon.”
• They can grow as long as 4.9 feet and up to 129 pounds, but typical length and weight of mature fish are about 3 feet and 30 pounds.
• They spend a few years feeding in the ocean, then return to their natal streams or rivers to spawn, generally in summer or early fall.
• Chinook salmon sexually mature between the ages of 2 and 7 but are typically 3 or 4 years old when they return to spawn.
• Chinook dig out gravel nests (redds) on stream bottoms where they lay their eggs.
• All Chinook salmon die after spawning.
• Young Chinook salmon feed on terrestrial and aquatic insects, amphipods, and other crustaceans.
• Older Chinook primarily feed on other fish.
• Fish (such as whiting and mackerel) and birds eat juvenile Chinook salmon.
• Marine mammals, such as orcas and sea lions, and sharks eat adult salmon.
• Salmon are also primary prey for Southern Resident killer whales, an endangered species.
• After salmon spawn and die, salmon carcasses are a valuable source of energy and nutrients to the river ecosystem. Carcasses have been shown to improve newly hatched salmon growth and survival by contributing nitrogen and phosphorous compounds to streams.

Where They Live

Range

• In North America, Chinook salmon range from the Monterey Bay area of California to the Chukchi Sea area of Alaska. 

Habitat

• Chinook salmon spend their early life growing and feeding in freshwater streams, estuaries, and associated wetlands.
• They spend the remainder of their life foraging in the ocean before returning to the streams and tributaries where they were born to spawn.

Is Chinook Salmon Sustainable?

Although some Chinook populations are below target levels, U.S. wild-caught Chinook salmon is a smart seafood choice because they are sustainably managed with careful consideration given to impacts on endangered and threatened species.

Availability

Fresh mainly in the summer and early fall, though the timing varies by area and fishery. Frozen year-round.

Source

U.S. wild-caught from Alaska to California.

Taste

Chinook salmon has a pronounced buttery, rich taste. They are the most highly prized salmon in the culinary world. White Chinook taste the same as the darker variety.

Texture

Oily, flaky, and meaty.

Color

The meat is almost always red, never pink, except for the rare white-meat variety.

Health Benefits

Chinook salmon is low in sodium and is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, niacin, vitamin B12, and selenium.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 1; Serving Weight: 100 g (raw); Calories: 179; Protein: 19.93 g; Total Fat: 10.43 g; Total Saturated Fatty Acids: 3.1 g; Carbohydrate: 0 g; Total Sugars: 0 g; Total Dietary Fiber: 0 g; Cholesterol: 50 mg; Selenium: 36.5 mcg; Sodium: 47 mg

FDA and EPA have issued advice regarding eating fish.

This advice can help those who might become or are pregnant or breastfeeding as well as parents and caregivers who are feeding children make informed choices when it comes to the types of fish that are nutritious and safe to eat.

Fish provide key nutrients that support a child’s brain development.

Fish are part of a healthy eating pattern and provide key nutrients during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and/or early childhood to support a child’s brain development:

• Omega-3 (called DHA and EPA) and omega-6 fats
• Iron
• Iodine (during pregnancy)
• Choline

Choline also supports development of the baby’s spinal cord. Fish provide iron and zinc to support children’s immune systems. Fish are a source of other nutrients like protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and selenium too.

Eating fish can provide other health benefits too.

Fish intake during pregnancy is recommended because moderate scientific evidence shows it can help your baby’s cognitive development.

Strong evidence shows that eating fish, as part of a healthy eating pattern, may have heart health benefits.

Healthy eating patterns that include fish may have other benefits too. Moderate scientific evidence shows that eating patterns relatively higher in fish but also in other foods, including vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, low- or non-fat dairy, lean meats and poultry, nuts, and unsaturated vegetable oils, and lower in red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened foods and beverages, and refined grains are associated with:

• Promotion of bone health – decreases the risk for hip fractures
• Decreases in the risk of becoming overweight or obese
• Decreases in the risk for colon and rectal cancers

A healthy eating pattern consists of choices across all food groups (vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy, and protein foods, which includes fish), eaten in recommended amounts, and within calorie needs. Healthy eating patterns include foods that provide vitamins, minerals, and other health-promoting components and have no or little added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends eating fish as part of a healthy eating pattern.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends:

• At least 8 ounces of seafood (less for children) per week based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
• Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding consume between 8 and 12 ounces per week of a variety of seafood from choices that are lower in mercury.

Choose a variety of fish that are lower in mercury.

While it is important to limit mercury in the diets of those who are pregnant or breastfeeding and children, many types of fish are both nutritious and lower in mercury.

This chart can help you choose which fish to eat, and how often to eat them, based on their mercury levels.

What is a serving? As a guide, use the palm of your hand.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding:

• 1 serving is 4 ounces

Eat 2 to 3 servings a week from the "Best Choices" list
(OR 1 serving from the "Good Choices" list).

Childhood:
On average, a serving is about:

• 1 ounce at age 1 to 3
• 2 ounces at age 4 to 7
• 3 ounces at age 8 to 10
• 4 ounces at age 11

Eat 2 servings a week from the “Best Choices” list.