Chum Salmon
A Pacific salmon stocked and harvested in Washington, historically one of the most abundant salmon species by weight worldwide.
- Scientific name
- Oncorhynchus keta
- Family
- Salmonidae
- Adult size
- Typically 24–30 inches, 8–15 pounds.
Identification
Silvery at sea, developing vertical purplish 'calico' bars along the flanks and a hooked jaw with large teeth as spawning approaches.
Habitat
Ocean-going; spawns in the lower reaches of coastal rivers and streams close to tidewater.
Diet
Plankton and small fish at sea; does not feed once it returns to freshwater to spawn.
Angling
A significant fall fishery in Washington's Puget Sound tributaries.
Where Chum Salmon is stocked
When Chum Salmon is stocked
Top Chum Salmon waters
Cowlitz River
Lewis County · 5 species · 2642 records
Last stocked May 2026
Minter Creek
Kitsap County · 4 species · 651 records
Last stocked July 2026
Fork Creek
Pacific County · 4 species · 561 records
Last stocked June 2026
Chambers Creek
Pierce County · 4 species · 459 records
Last stocked May 2026
Purdy Creek
Mason County · 3 species · 430 records
Last stocked May 2026
Finch Creek
Mason County · 4 species · 394 records
Last stocked June 2026
Columbia River General
5 species · 361 records
Last stocked June 2025
Wallace River
Snohomish County · 4 species · 360 records
Last stocked June 2026
Satsop River East Fork
Grays Harbor County · 5 species · 349 records
Last stocked May 2026
Cascade River
Skagit County · 4 species · 329 records
Last stocked June 2026
Kendall Creek
Whatcom County · 4 species · 300 records
Last stocked May 2026
Naselle River
Pacific County · 4 species · 286 records
Last stocked May 2026
North Nemah R24.0460
Pacific County · 4 species · 238 records
Last stocked May 2026
John Creek
Mason County · 3 species · 232 records
Last stocked June 2015
Whatcom Creek
Whatcom County · 7 species · 221 records
Last stocked May 2026
Lewis River
5 species · 212 records
Last stocked April 2026
Elochoman River
5 species · 208 records
Last stocked April 2026
Lewis River East Fork
3 species · 177 records
Last stocked April 2026
East Sound Bay
San Juan County · 3 species · 98 records
Last stocked May 2025
Big Beef Creek
Kitsap County · 3 species · 97 records
Last stocked May 2025
Chinook River
Pacific County · 3 species · 90 records
Last stocked March 2005
Weaver Creek
Mason County · 1 species · 87 records
Last stocked April 2026
Wishkah River
Grays Harbor County · 5 species · 86 records
Last stocked April 2025
Skokomish River
Mason County · 4 species · 84 records
Last stocked April 2026
Frequently asked
Where is Chum Salmon stocked?
Chum Salmon is stocked in 202 waters across 1 state: Washington.
When is Chum Salmon stocked?
Chum Salmon is typically stocked in spring, most often in April, based on records across every state that stocks it.
How many Chum Salmon are stocked?
About 1,059,036,589 Chum Salmon have been stocked on record since 1995, across Washington.
What does a Chum Salmon look like?
Silvery at sea, developing vertical purplish 'calico' bars along the flanks and a hooked jaw with large teeth as spawning approaches.