King Salmon

{
  "id": "7824ebb4-c686-4410-b851-61eac6404a9d",
  "commonName": "King Salmon",
  "scientificName": "Oncorhynchus tshawytscha",
  "slug": "king-salmon",
  "category": "anadromous",
  "aliases": [
    "chinook",
    "chinook salmon",
    "kings",
    "tyee",
    "king",
    "Chinook",
    "Tyee",
    "Blackmouth",
    "Spring Salmon",
    "Quinnat",
    "Tule",
    "Chinook Salmon",
    "Blacksalmon"
  ],
  "description": "The King Salmon is a study in marine power, built for enduring immense ocean journeys. In the salt, they are deep-bodied, heavy-shouldered fish, cloaked in a silver sheen with a smattering of black, irregular spots on the back, dorsal fin, and both lobes of the tail. Upon entering freshwater on their spawning migration, a dramatic transformation occurs; males develop a hooked jaw (kype) and take on a reddish-brown to maroon hue, while females often exhibit a darker olive-green. True to their regal name, they are the titans of Pacific salmon, commonly reaching between 20 and 35 inches and 15 to 30 pounds, though trophies from prolific systems can shatter the 50-pound and even the 80-pound mark.",
  "imageUrl": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/species/king-salmon/main.webp",
  "hero": {
    "blurhash": "UrQ0U7j[t8xakCWBs:of_Nt7oKof-;t7RjWB",
    "altText": "King Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) watercolor",
    "caption": "The King Salmon is a study in marine power, built for enduring immense ocean journeys.",
    "width": 2400,
    "height": 1340
  },
  "phases": [
    {
      "id": "fb9b5089-abf8-4a2c-b9ac-a758dc4dcb17",
      "name": "Freshwater Parr",
      "slug": "freshwater-parr",
      "description": "This is the first stream-dwelling stage of the King Salmon's life. After hatching and emerging from the gravel, the small fish live in their natal rivers and streams for up to a year, feeding on aquatic insects and growing steadily before the urge to migrate strikes.",
      "appearance": "A small, slender fish, typically 2 to 5 inches long. The body is camouflaged with 8 to 12 distinct, dark, oval parr marks (vertical bars) along the lateral line on a yellowish-green to olive background. The fins are transparent to dusky. Black spots are present but less prominent than in later stages.",
      "triggers": null,
      "habitat": "Cold, clear, gravel-bottomed headwaters and tributaries of Pacific river systems.",
      "anglersNote": "Rarely targeted by anglers and often protected by catch-and-release regulations due to their importance for future generations.",
      "displayOrder": 0,
      "imageUrl": null,
      "media": null
    },
    {
      "id": "2b4e405e-66ea-4195-a461-0f5246b3bcdc",
      "name": "Ocean Smolt",
      "slug": "ocean-smolt",
      "description": "The smolt stage marks the critical transition from a freshwater resident to an ocean-going fish. The young salmon undergo physiological changes that allow them to survive in saltwater and begin their downstream migration toward the sea.",
      "appearance": "Size increases to 4-7 inches. The body becomes more streamlined and torpedo-shaped. The distinct parr marks fade, replaced by a bright, reflective silver sheen over the flanks and belly. The back takes on a darker greenish-blue hue. Black spots on the back and tail become more visible.",
      "triggers": "Physiological changes (smoltification) triggered by age, size, and seasonal cues, preparing for saltwater entry.",
      "habitat": "Lower river estuaries and brackish transition zones as they acclimate before entering the open ocean.",
      "anglersNote": "Not a primary angling target, but an ecologically vital stage for the health of salmon fisheries.",
      "displayOrder": 1,
      "imageUrl": null,
      "media": null
    },
    {
      "id": "cae99e66-6de9-45cb-9f63-277f49a3a4c0",
      "name": "Ocean Adult",
      "slug": "ocean-adult",
      "description": "This is the King Salmon's prime, trophy phase. It spends 1 to 5 years feeding and growing in the rich waters of the North Pacific Ocean, building the immense size and power it is famous for. This is the phase most anglers dream of encountering.",
      "appearance": "A powerful, deep-bodied, heavy-shouldered fish. The flanks and belly are a brilliant, chrome silver, often described as a mirror-like sheen. The back is a dark bluish-green to almost black. The body and both lobes of the tail fin are liberally covered with small, irregular, black spots. No hooked jaw or spawning colors are present. Typical size is 20-35 inches and 15-30 pounds, with potential to exceed 50 pounds.",
      "triggers": "Successful acclimation to saltwater and entry into the productive ocean feeding grounds.",
      "habitat": "Open waters of the North Pacific Ocean, often near upwellings and along coastlines, at various depths.",
      "anglersNote": "The premier sportfishing target. Prized for its immense power, acrobatic fights, and superb table fare when caught in saltwater.",
      "displayOrder": 2,
      "imageUrl": null,
      "media": null
    },
    {
      "id": "d9f57088-8a7e-4a94-b853-3fce452fb0ce",
      "name": "Spawning Male",
      "slug": "spawning-male",
      "description": "Upon re-entering freshwater for its spawning run, the male King Salmon undergoes a radical physical transformation. It ceases feeding, dedicating all its energy to the final reproductive act, which dramatically alters its form and color.",
      "appearance": "The brilliant silver is completely lost. The body darkens to a deep reddish-brown, maroon, or sometimes almost black. The black spots are still visible but often obscured by the dark background color. The most striking feature is the development of a pronounced, hooked lower jaw called a kype. The body becomes deeper and more hump-backed, and the skin thickens. Flesh quality deteriorates significantly.",
      "triggers": "Entry into freshwater and hormonal changes associated with the spawning migration.",
      "habitat": "Freshwater rivers, moving upstream to spawning grounds in main stems and tributaries.",
      "anglersNote": "Fishing is often discouraged or prohibited to protect spawning fish. The flesh is of poor quality, and the fight is less vigorous as the fish is no longer feeding.",
      "displayOrder": 3,
      "imageUrl": null,
      "media": null
    },
    {
      "id": "d1bfbdf3-d697-4e65-ac6b-84cb82b39914",
      "name": "Spawning Female",
      "slug": "spawning-female",
      "description": "The female King Salmon enters the river with the same purpose as the male but exhibits a different spawning dress. She focuses her energy on developing and depositing eggs in the riverbed gravel, a process called redd digging.",
      "appearance": "Like the male, the bright ocean silver fades. Her coloration shifts to a darker olive-green, bronze, or grayish-brown, often with a reddish or purplish lateral band. Black spotting remains visible. She does not develop a hooked kype like the male, though her jaw may thicken slightly. Her body deepens due to the developing egg sac (roe).",
      "triggers": "Entry into freshwater and hormonal changes associated with the spawning migration.",
      "habitat": "Freshwater rivers, on or near spawning gravel beds (redds) in main stems and tributaries.",
      "anglersNote": "Extreme care should be taken to avoid disturbing fish on spawning redds. Fishing for spawners is generally discouraged to protect future offspring.",
      "displayOrder": 4,
      "imageUrl": null,
      "media": null
    }
  ],
  "contentUpdatedAt": "2026-05-09T22:30:05.644Z"
}

[
  {
    "slug": "bristol-bay-ak",
    "name": "Bristol Bay",
    "type": "region_colloquial",
    "stateProvince": "AK",
    "availableMonths": null,
    "peakMonths": [
      6,
      7,
      8,
      9
    ]
  }
]

[]

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  "title": null,
  "description": "King Salmon (Chinook) are powerful Pacific predators, the largest salmon species. Target them in the ocean for a premier sportfishing challenge.",
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    "blackmouth",
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