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Salmon and trout identification
Learn how to identify the salmon and trout species you might see in King County.
Salmon in streams can be very difficult to see since they are camouflaged to blend in with the stream bed. They rest in deep, dark pools, underneath or next to logs, and in shady areas under bridges or shrubs. Look for a glimpse of a moving fin or tail. Salmon that have been in the stream for a while may have white patches around the edges, and dead fish almost always have white on them.
All photos from Inland Fishes of Washington by Whitney and Wydoski, © 1979 University of Washington Press. Reprinted by permission of the University of Washington Press.
Our local salmon species
Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Chinook, also called "king" or "black mouth," are the largest of the Pacific Salmon. They are often found spawning in rivers or larger streams, and are usually one of the earlier salmon species to spawn in the fall. In King County, they are found in the Snoqualmie, Cedar, Green, and White river systems. Chinook are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Because of this, we are very interested in knowing which streams contain Chinook.
Identification characteristics
- Olive brown to dark brown in color, almost black on back and sides
- Many spots on its back
- Few spots on fins
- BOTH upper and lower part of tail fin has spots
- Lower gum line is black
- Range in length from 24 inches (2 feet) to 60 inches (5 feet)
Spawn timing
September through mid-December
Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Steelhead are the anadromous (migrating) version of rainbow trout. Rainbow trout are the "land locked" version, and remain in freshwater throughout their life. Steelhead migrate from the ocean into freshwater to spawn, and then can swim back out to the ocean again if they wish.
Because steelhead are not semelparous (meaning they do not die after spawning) they are not an "official" Pacific Salmon. Puget Sound steelhead are listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Steelhead are often a favorite of fishers for their large size and feisty attitude, but only hatchery steelhead can be caught and kept.
Identification characteristics
- Head blunt, jaw short - does not extend past the eye
- Distinct dark spots on dorsal fin
- Square-shaped tail fin with radiating pattern of spots
- Often has reddish stripe along sides, gill cover reddish
- Length up to 45 inches
Spawn timing
Late March through early June
Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta)
Chum, also called "dog salmon," are the second largest of the Pacific Salmon. They are usually found in watersheds closer to the salt water, and not in waterways far inland. We don't find as many chum as other species of salmon in King County streams, but we do find a few in the creeks that feed directly into Puget Sound. But, chum sometimes "stray" and can be seen spawning in creeks that you wouldn't expect!
Identification characteristics
- Rare in Lake Washington
- No distinct black spots on back or caudal fins
- Males are dark blue above with reddish-purple vertical markings and well developed teeth
- Females less colorful, often with horizontal bar along sides
- Lower gum line is black
- Range in length from 30-42 inches
Spawn timing
November through late December
Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
Coho salmon, also called "silvers" or "silver salmon," are another species of Pacific Salmon found in King County. Coho often spawn in the smaller streams and don't tend to spawn in the larger rivers like Chinook. Because spawning coho can be red in color, similar in size, and spawn or travel though the same streams, they can sometimes be confused with sockeye.
Identification characteristics
- Back and head dark bluish-green
- Lower sides brilliant red to wine color
- Gill cover reddish
- Spots on back and UPPER lobe of tail fin only
- Lower gum line is light colored
- Range in length from 17 to 38 inches
Spawn timing
Mid-October through early January
Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)
Sockeye, also called "red salmon," are one of the most unique of the Pacific Salmon in that they require a lake for part of their lifecycle. When they are young fish, called fry, they spend anywhere from a few months to a couple of years in their lake. Sockeye can sometimes be found spawning on the shores of the same lake where they spent their younger years.
Sockeye almost always spawn in a water body that is somehow connected to a lake, be it a stream or the lake shore itself! Since we have many lakes in King County, and two large lakes in our survey territory, we often see spawning sockeye. (Remember, if it's a small fish, it may be a kokanee!)
Identification characteristics
- In males, back and sides are bright red to dirty red-gray, head is bright to olive green, tail is green to black
- In females, colors not as bright, but red above lateral line
- NO distinct spots on back or tail fin
- Males have a large dorsal hump
- Range in length from 20-28 inches
Spawn timing
Early August through late December
Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)
Pink salmon, also called "humpies," are the smallest of the Pacific salmon. They are usually found in streams and rivers that connect directly to salt water (with no lakes in between). But pink salmon sometimes "stray" and can be seen spawning in creeks that you wouldn't expect!
Identification characteristics
- Rare in Lake Washington Watershed
- Oval-shaped black spots on back and caudal fin
- Males have very large humpback
- Tail is very forked
- Range in length from 14 to 30 inches
Spawn timing
August through October only in odd-numbered years in our area
Kokanee Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)
Kokanee are the land-locked form of sockeye salmon. Because they never migrate out to the ocean to feed, kokanee are often much smaller than sockeye. However, other than their size, kokanee have very similar identifying characteristics to sockeye.
Most kokanee live in a lake for most of their lives, so you may see them spawning near the edge of a lake or in a small tributary that feeds into a lake. There are kokanee populations in Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish, Issaquah Creek, and other the other small creeks that feed into these water bodies.
Identification characteristics
- In males, back and sides are bright red to dirty red-gray, head is bright to olive green, tail is green to black
- In females, colors not as bright, but red above lateral line
- Possible spots on back or tail fin
- Males have a large dorsal hump
- Range in length from 10-18 inches
Spawn timing
November through February, peaking in mid-December
Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarki)
Cutthroat trout, like rainbow trout, also have an anadromous (or ocean migrating) form. Steelhead and rainbow trout can both spawn more than once, unlike the Pacific Salmon that die after spawning. Cutthroat trout are a favorite catch of fishers in King County. Also, cutthroat are often present in the same streams that Pacific Salmon use for spawning. Many people confuse cutthroat with other salmon species.
Identification Characteristics
- Head blunt, jaw long - extends past eye
- Small black spots on head & body extending well below lateral line, and on all fins
- Red to yellow streaks on underside of jaw
- Faint to no red on sides of spawning fish
- Length up to 30 inches
Spawn timing
February through May