Chinook salmon - Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Did you know?
- The name Chinook is derived from the Russian чавыча, which in turn evolved from a name used by the native peoples of Alaska and Siberia.
- The Chinook, like most salmon, is an "anadromous" fish, meaning that it lives mostly in the ocean and breeds in fresh water.
- The Chinook species survived the Ice Age.
- Chinook are the largest of the Pacific salmon. The current record for a sport-caught Chinook is 102.5 lbs (46 kg).
- The explorers Lewis and Clark, who led the first American expedition to the Pacific Coast and back, described and enjoyed Chinook salmon.
- Chinook are one of the favourite prey of killer whales.
- A female Chinook can produce from 3,000 to 14,000 eggs.
- All Chinook die after they spawn.