Chum salmon
A Pacific salmon species known for its large size and wide distribution across the North Pacific.
The chum salmon is an anadromous fish native to the North Pacific coastlines. It holds the record for the longest migration within its genus and serves as a significant commercial catch in Asian markets.
- Largest natural range of any Pacific salmon species.
- Migrate up to 3,200 km upriver systems like the Yukon.
- Females lay up to 4,000 eggs in gravel nests called redds.
- World record weight is 15.88 kg caught in British Columbia.
- Adults change colour to dark olive green in freshwater.
What it is
The chum salmon is a member of the Pacific salmon group found in the North Pacific. Its body is deeper than many other salmonids, featuring silvery blue-green scales with faint spotting while at sea. The belly remains pale until the fish enters freshwater, where it turns dark olive green. Adults developing purple streaks near the tail prepare for reproduction. Males grow elongated snouts and white-tipped fins during this phase. The species reaches average lengths of sixty centimetres but can grow significantly larger.
Where it lives
This species occupies the widest natural range of any Pacific salmon. Populations exist along the coasts of Japan, Korea, and the Russian Far East. In North America, they migrate from Alaska down to California and north into the Arctic Ocean. They travel far upriver systems like the Yukon and Amur rivers. Some individuals reach the Mackenzie River basin. In the open ocean, they stay near the surface, rarely diving below fifty metres.
How it lives
Juveniles feed on zooplankton, insects, and comb jellies before moving to sea. Adult chum consume smaller fish during their ocean phase. They spend one to three years traveling long distances in marine waters. These fish are notable for undertaking extensive migrations compared to other salmon species. Predators include larger marine animals and birds during their journey. They exhibit distinct colour changes as they transition between salt and fresh water environments.
Breeding and life cycle
Chum salmon spawn in small streams and intertidal zones from November to January in some regions. Females construct protected depressions in gravel known as redds. A female may lay up to four thousand eggs in these nests. Males release milt over the eggs before the female covers them with sediment. This process occurs in shallow edges or deep pool tails. Adults typically die about two weeks after returning to freshwater to reproduce.
Fish and people
Commercial harvests in the North Pacific total hundreds of thousands of tons annually. Japan accounts for half of this catch, with Russia and the United States contributing significantly. Despite being plentiful, chum often hold lower market value in North America due to consumer preferences. However, demand has grown in Northern Europe and Japan since the mid-nineteen eighties. They are traditionally processed into dried salmon products. Sport anglers target them in various coastal regions.
Questions people ask about Chum salmon
What does the name chum salmon mean?
The English name derives from the Chinook Jargon word tsəm, meaning spotted or marked. The scientific name keta originates from Russian, which itself comes from the Evenki language of Eastern Siberia.
How long do chum salmon live?
They typically live for three to five years. Individuals in Alaska often mature at the age of five years before spawning. They usually die shortly after completing their freshwater reproductive cycle.
Where do chum salmon spawn?
They spawn in small streams and intertidal zones. Females build nests called redds in gravel depressions at shallow water edges or deep pool tails. Spawning occurs from June to August in Alaska and November to January in other regions.
Are chum salmon commercially important?
Yes, they represent a major portion of Pacific salmon harvests. In 2010, they accounted for thirty-four percent of total Pacific salmon weight. Japan consumes half the catch, though they have lower market value in North America.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Chum salmon", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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