Chinook is the largest and most prestigious of the Pacific salmon species \u2014 the king, the tyee, the spring. Adult fish typically run 15-40 pounds; the Columbia River produces fish over 50 pounds with regularity, and the rare 70+ pound monster makes headlines each summer. The fight is powerful: a hooked king on a mooching rod takes line in long aggressive runs, and the angler often spends 20-30 minutes landing a fish that ran cleanly hooked. The flesh is the most valued of all salmon \u2014 deep red, oil-rich, the standard against which other salmon are measured. For most PNW salmon anglers, Chinook is the primary target.<\/p>\n\n
This guide covers Pacific Chinook fishing \u2014 the multiple seasonal runs, ocean vs river techniques, gear specifications, top destinations, and what separates serious Chinook anglers from casual ones. Pair with the Pacific salmon fishing guide<\/a> for the broader silo context, the mooching guide<\/a> for the dominant Chinook technique, and the rods guide<\/a> for the specialized gear.<\/p>\n\n\n Chinook salmon are recognizable by several characteristics:<\/p>\n\n Several other names refer to the same species: “king salmon” is the most common alternative; “tyee” refers specifically to fish over 30 pounds in BC tradition; “spring” or “springer” specifically references the spring run. All refer to Oncorhynchus tshawytscha \u2014 the Chinook salmon.<\/p>\n\n Chinook are unique among Pacific salmon for having multiple distinct annual runs \u2014 spring fish, summer fish, and fall fish \u2014 each entering rivers at different times, behaving differently, and supporting separate sport fisheries.<\/p>\n\n The earliest and most-prized Chinook run. Spring Chinook are smaller (typical 15-25 lbs) but the highest oil content of any Pacific salmon \u2014 the most-valued for table quality. Found in the Columbia River, Willamette, Sandy, Cowlitz, and other tributaries from late February through June, with peak action in April-May. Spring Chinook techniques emphasize back-trolling Kwikfish with sardine wraps and bobber-doggin’ with cured eggs. The run has selective regulations in most rivers; check current rules.<\/p>\n\n The summer run targets fish bound for upper Columbia tributaries (Snake River, Hanford Reach area). Fish enter the Columbia in June and migrate upstream through July and August. Hanford Reach (between Tri-Cities and Vernita Bridge) is the classic summer Chinook destination \u2014 back-trolling and plunking dominate. Ocean fishing out of Westport, Ilwaco, and Newport also produces summer Chinook returning to coastal rivers.<\/p>\n\n The largest run by volume and the dominant Chinook sport fishery. The Buoy 10 fishery at the Columbia River mouth is the premier destination \u2014 late August through September is peak. Ocean fishing out of all major ports produces. River runs follow in September-October on the lower Columbia, Cowlitz, Lewis, Kalama, and smaller PNW rivers. Trophy potential is highest in fall \u2014 40+ pound fish are realistic on the Columbia, with 60+ pound fish landed each season.<\/p>\n\n The premier Chinook destination in the Lower 48. Multiple sub-fisheries: Buoy 10 at the river mouth (August-September peak), the lower Columbia from Astoria upstream, the gorge below Bonneville Dam, and the Hanford Reach in eastern Washington. See the Columbia River salmon fishing guide<\/a> for details on each sub-fishery.<\/p>\n\n Year-round resident “blackmouth” Chinook plus seasonal ocean returns. Westport (outer coast), Sekiu and Neah Bay (Strait of Juan de Fuca), and various Puget Sound locations all produce. Mooching is the dominant technique. See the Puget Sound salmon fishing guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n Smaller rivers (Tillamook Bay area, Nehalem, Siletz, Alsea, Umpqua, Rogue) produce fall Chinook returns. Tillamook Bay is the most famous \u2014 multiple rivers converging support a destination salmon fishery. Newport, Garibaldi, and Charleston are the primary charter ports.<\/p>\n\n Remote rivers \u2014 Hoh, Queets, Quillayute system, Sol Duc, Bogachiel \u2014 support wild Chinook runs in remote rainforest settings. Less infrastructure but legitimate trophy potential and wilderness experience.<\/p>\n\n The upper Columbia River fall Chinook fishery. Trophy-sized fish (40+ lbs realistic), back-trolling and plunking dominate, and access is via small boats and the bank. Less crowded than Buoy 10 but produces similarly large fish.<\/p>\n\n
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\n\n\nIdentifying Chinook Salmon<\/h2>\n\n
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Chinook Runs and Timing<\/h2>\n\n
Spring Chinook (April-June)<\/h3>\n
Summer Chinook (June-August)<\/h3>\n
Fall Chinook (August-October)<\/h3>\n
Where to Fish Pacific Chinook<\/h2>\n\n
Columbia River<\/h3>\n
Puget Sound<\/h3>\n
Oregon Coast<\/h3>\n
Olympic Peninsula<\/h3>\n
Hanford Reach<\/h3>\n
Chinook Techniques<\/h2>\n\n