Don't expect the pink salmon found in the Great Lakes to be pink. The fish only have
the pink coloring in their native range, which is the northern Pacific Ocean and streams
of the Pacific Northwest. The Great Lakes fish are primarily silver, although breeding
males may show some pale red on the sides. Breeding males also develop a prominant hump
before the dorsal fin and a large hooked snout.
Look for:
- Spots large and elongate (largest as big as diameter of whole eye) and appearing on back
and both halves of tail
- Scales in lateral line 147-205
- Gill rakers on first arch 24-35
Complete pink 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.
