Pink Salmon

The smallest of the Pacific salmons, the average size of a pink salmon is 3-5 lbs. (1-2 kg).

 

HOW TO IDENTIFY A PINK SALMON

At sea they are silvery, as are all salmons. They can be identified by the large, black, oval-shaped spots on both halves of the tail and large spots on the back and adipose fin. At spawning time the male is easily recognized by its extremely humpbacked appearance. The male develops a kype at spawning time. The body of breeding males is pale red or pink on the sides with brown to olive-green blotches.

 

WHERE TO CATCH PINK SALMON

The pink salmon is endemic to the Pacific and Arctic oceans, Bering and Okhotsk seas, the Sea of Japan, and the rivers that flow into these waters. It occurs from Alaska south to the Sacramento River, California, throughout the Aleutian Islands, and northeast into the MacKenzie River, N.W.T., Canada. It has been introduced to Newfoundland and to the western coast of Lake Superior and is maintaining populations in these locations. Since the introduction into Newfoundland there have been very sporadic reports of pink salmon in Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. It has spread through Lake Superior and is now spawning in tributaries of Lake Huron. The following list includes additional details on where to catch this fish:

 

BACKFLOW                                                            BAYS AND ESTUARIES

RIPPLES, CURRENTS, SWIRLS AND SPRAYS        MAN-MADE STRUCTURES

ROCK AND BOULDER POCKETS                                  DAMS AND FALLS

EDDIES                                                                  SMALL POINTED WAVES

UNDERCUTS                                                           BAYS

CHANNEL ENTRANCES                                             OUTSIDES OF BENDS

RIVERS AND STREAMS                                             SCHOOLS

DROP-OFFS                                                            MERGING CURRENTS

STANDING WAVES                                                   CURRENT EDGES

 

HOW TO CATCH PINK SALMON

The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:

 

JIGGING                                                       FLY FISHING

STILL FISHING                                               DRIFT FISHING

TROLLING                                                     SPIN CASTING

 

PINK SALMON LURES, TACKLE & BAIT

The following are lures, tackle or bait that can be used to catch this fish:

 

CURED FISH ROE                                           FLIES

SALTWATER LIVE BAIT                                    SPOONS

CUT BAIT                                                      PLUGS

SPINNER BAITS