Keta Salmon on the West Coast

A Few Remaining Runs of Fish Along the California and Oregon Coasts

Apr 20, 2009

Prior to the 1940's, keta salmon contributed almost 50 percent of all salmonids in the Pacific Ocean. Today only a few of the once healthy runs remain.

Chum salmon have a broader spawning distribution than any other species of Pacific salmon. Historically, chum salmon were distributed throughout the coastal regions of western Canada and the United States. California salmon have been observed as far south as the San Lorenzo River in Monterey Bay, with ocean catches as far south as Del Mar. A few spawning runs still occur in some of the tributaries of the Sacramento and Klamath rivers. Presently, major spawning populations are found only as far south as Tillamook Bay on the northern Oregon coast. Periodically, chum salmon will show up in streams farther south along the Oregon and California coasts with few, if any, known chum salmon spawning grounds in rivers nearby. They either stray hundreds of miles from the nearest spawning areas in some years, or they maintain populations in areas along these coasts that have been poorly surveyed.

Chum Salmon and Dog Salmon Are Also Known Names

Keta Salmon belong to the family Salmonidae. It is more commonly referred to as “chum” or “dog” salmon and is one of the eight species of Pacific salmonids in the genus Oncorhynchus. The scientific name “keta” comes from the Nanai people, who live near the Amur River along the border of China and the Russian Federation. “Keta” in their language translates to “the fish.” The species is perhaps best known for its unique breeding coloration and spawning morphology. Chum salmon have been documented to spawn from Korea and the Japanese island of Honshu, east, around the rim of the North Pacific Ocean to southern California.

Early in its life cycle, the chum salmon generally spends a shorter amount of time in streams and rivers, compared to other salmon, before migrating downstream to estuaries and near-shore marine habitats. The sound ecological health of the estuaries and near-shore habitats are therefore more important to the early-life stages of the chum than for most Pacific salmon. This anadromous fish will spend 2-5 years at sea before migrating to rivers to spawn. According to Pacific Fisherman 1928, “Chum salmon grow to be among the largest of Pacific salmon, second only to chinook salmon in adult size, with individuals reported up to 108.9 cm in length and 20.8 kg in weight.” They are semelparous, spawning primarily in freshwater. There are no recorded landlocked or naturalized freshwater populations. Chum salmon make little effort in surpassing river blockages and falls and therefore are believed to spawn primarily in the lower reaches of rivers.

Fresh Keta Salmon is Good Eating but is Preferred Smoked

Chum salmon may historically have been the most abundant of all salmonids. It’s been estimated that prior to the 1940’s, chum salmon contributed almost 50 percent of the total biomass of all salmonids in the Pacific Ocean. Salmon fishing for chums is primarily done with gill net or purse seine. Fly fishing and spin fishing for chum salmon has grown in popularity in the pacific northwest in recent years. The chum offers the fisherman a strong and determined battle and, if caught “fresh”, a good meal. The lower oil content makes this salmon desirable for those who don’t necessarily want as bold a flavor found in other salmons. However, it is preferred cured and smoked and is the least desirable of the Pacific salmon for eating.

The copyright of the article Keta Salmon on the West Coast in Hunting & Fishing is owned by John Schmidt. Permission to republish Keta Salmon on the West Coast in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.