Chum salmon, also known as Dog or Keta salmon, boast the widest natural range of any Pacific salmon. Chum salmon are native to the cold-water rivers of North America from Umpqua River in Oregon to the Yukon River in Alaska, the coasts of Japan and Korea, and the far east of Russia and China. Chum salmon are born in freshwater rivers and migrate downstream to the ocean soon after they hatch and are free swimming. Chum salmon spend 3-5 years in the ocean growing to 9-22lbs during salt water migration. These fish return to their natal rivers in the summer and are often the first Pacific salmon species to spawn in the fall. Adult Chum salmon in freshwater display vertical stripes on their sides. All Chum salmon die after spawning.
