King
salmon are Pacific Ocean salmon also known as Chinook salmon. These
are Alaska’s state fish and they are the largest of the Pacific
Ocean salmon. Mature male king salmon range in weight between 4 pounds
and more than 50 pounds. The average weight of Chinook (or king) salmon
commercially caught is about 18 pounds.
While king salmon are also found in other Pacific Ocean locations,
Alaska holds the majority of the commercial harvesting. Ninety per cent
of Alaska’s harvest comes from two rivers – the Yukon and
Kuskokwim in Southern Alaska. These fish is also highly sought after
by sport fishermen.
The king salmon are recognizable by their physical characteristics,
such as the irregular black spotting on their back and dorsal fins.
A black line along the gum line has earned them the nickname of “black
mouth.” King salmon are vital to Alaska’s commercial and
sport fishing industry.