It can be quite difficult to distinguish coho salmon from chinook salmon. Pay
particular attention to the gums, anal fin rays, and spotting on the tail.
Look for:
- Spots on both upper and lower parts (lobes) of tail
- Black lower gums
- Spots small and round to oval (no larger than half diameter of eye or about size of
pupil of eye)
- Anal fin rays 14-19
Complete chinook
salmon profile.
Main trouts and salmons page.
Sources: "Fishes of Isle Royale," by K.F. Lagler and C. R.
Goldman, Isle Royale Natural History Association, 1982.
Fishes of Wisconsin, by George C. Becker, University of Wisconsin
Press, 1983.
Freshwater Fishes of Canada, by W.B. Scott and E.J. Crossman, Fisheries Research
Board of Canada, 1973.
