Although their habits are similar, fishing methods will differ according to the time of year, and what kind of water they are in. Let's start by establishing exactly what a salmon is.



Salmon is the common name for several species of the family Salmonidae, which also includes trout and char. Most species of salmon are anadromous, meaning they live in the ocean, and migrate up rivers to spawn. There are a few species that have established themselves in freshwater lakes full-time, and are referred to as 'landlocked' salmon. The major species are:

Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) are native to the Northeastern coast of the US , and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Systems. The landlocked subspecies of this salmon is called the Sebago, and is stocked with marginal success in Michigan. This is the only East Coast species of salmon in the US. Atlantic Salmon survive their spawning runs up rivers and can spawn 3 or 4 times in their lives.

The Pacific Salmon are all members of the Onchorynchus family.

The Chinook, or King Salmon (Onchorynchus tshawytscha) is the largest member of the West Coast Salmon family, ranging from Northern California north to the McKenzie River in Canada. 30- Pounders are not uncommon.

Chum, or Dog Salmon (Onchorynchus keta) have the largest range of all the Pacific Coast salmon species, ranging from the Sacramento River in California, north to the McKenzie River in British Columbia.

Coho, or Silver Salmon (Onchorynchus kisutchi) are only found along the British Columbia and Alaskan Coasts, and rivers.

Pink, or Humpy Salmon (Onchorynchus gorbuscha) are found from mid Caliifornia north to the McKenzie River in BC. They are the smallest, but most numerous of the Pacific Salmon species.

Sockeye, or Red Salmon (Onchorynchus nerka) are the most striking species in appearance, during the spawn. The males turn a vivid bright red. They range from the Klamath River in Northern California, north to Bathurst Inlet in the Canadian Arctic.

Kokanee are a landlocked subspecies of Sockeye Salmon.

Steelhead (Onchorynchus mykiss) are not salmon, but Rainbow Trout that migrate to the ocean, and back to the rivers to spawn.

And, a quick word about fish-farming. If you catch a salmon, you'd need a DNA test to determine whether it was a farm-raised, or 'wild' fish. While there is a temporary problem with lice on farm-raised fish, it is only temporary and will be addressed.

It is a new industry with some teething troubles, but it will eventually save the salmon-fishing industry and guarantee a great supply of fish for everyone. And when 'farmed' fish are released, they become part of the 'wild' fish population.

Fish farming will do for the fish industry what cattle-ranching has done to the beef, pork and poultry industries. It is truly the wave of the future, and will go a long way towards eliminating hunger in the world.