Chinook fish: a bright representative of the salmon family

Description and habitat

The red Chinook fish is the largest of the entire salmon family. In addition to the main nickname, the fish has two more names: wild salmon and chinook. The marine life looks impressive: you can see the giant trophies in the photos of Kamchatka fishermen. An adult anadromous species can grow up to 60 kilograms. The body length of Chinook salmon is no less impressive: it can range from seventy centimeters to 1.5 meters. The fish reaches store shelves in a more modest size: the carcass weight most often ranges from 6 to 17 kilograms.

Characteristic external features of Chinook salmon:

The body is spindle-shaped;
Pelvic fins protruding backward;
Large head and mouth;
Presence of two dorsal fins;
Small scales;
15 gill membranes and black gums on the lower jaw;
Presence of dark spots all over the body;
Large stripes between the body and head.

Under natural conditions, the color of the fish does not attract attention at all.
The color of the scales is silver with olive shades. Chinook salmon become brighter in color during the spawning period: the color of the coat changes to bright brown, sometimes acquiring a red color. During the spawning period, the back of the females becomes almost black. What wild salmon looks like during spawning and at normal times can be seen in the photo. Chinook salmon habitat includes:

Eastern shore and western cool waters of the Pacific Ocean;
Reservoirs of the Kamchatka Peninsula;
Far Eastern rivers: from the southern Amur to the Anadyr River in the northeast;
Waters of the Commander Islands;
Sea of Okhotsk and Barents;
The northern part of America, namely the rivers of Alaska and Canada, as well as the reservoirs of Washington and the southern waters of California.

Also, wild salmon is bred artificially: the fish is raised in specialized farms located in New Zealand and the Great Lakes, where it lives and grows all its life.

Despite the fact that the Chinook is a resident of fresh water, after adolescence it swims out to sea and lives away from the coastline. Upon reaching puberty, females return to their native fresh waters to reproduce future offspring.

In rivers, individuals prefer deep places with snags, stones and sticks. It often swims into river mouths where the waters are rich in vegetation. Juveniles love to have fun in fast currents.

Natural enemies of Chinook salmon

Photo: Chinook salmon in the water

The eggs and fry are most at risk. Even though Chinook salmon go to safer upper reaches to spawn, they can end up prey to predatory fish, not only large ones, but also quite small ones too. They are also hunted by seagulls and other birds of prey that feed on fish.

Various aquatic mammals like otters are also not averse to feasting on them. The latter can catch already grown fish, until it becomes too large for it. An otter can even cope with a Chinook salmon that has gone to spawn if it has not been at sea for long and weighs within a couple of kilograms. Fish of approximately the same parameters are also of interest to large birds of prey, such as the large merganser - they cannot handle a very large one. But bears are able to hold on to any, even the largest individual: when salmon go to spawn, these predators often wait for them right in the water and deftly snatch them out of it.

This is the best time for bears, especially since different species go to spawn one after another and the time of such abundant feeding on fish can last for months, and in some rivers for most of the year. Due to the fact that predators are just waiting for the fish to swim to spawn, this time is very dangerous for chinook salmon - there is a high risk of never reaching the upper rivers.

The sea is much less dangerous for them, because Chinook salmon is a large fish, and most marine predators are too tough for it. But it can still be hunted by beluga, killer whale, and some pinnipeds.

Interesting fact: To spawn, Chinook salmon do not simply return to places similar to those where they were born - they swim to exactly the same place.

What does it eat?

Like all salmon fish, the Chinook is a good predator: it is agile, fast, smart and dangerous. The diet of fish can vary depending on its habitat.

The river fish diet includes:

Juveniles of other fish;
Insects and their larvae;
Various types of crustaceans.

Young Chinook salmon eat a lot of plankton. Older fish love to destroy the egg deposits of other aquatic inhabitants. Fishermen use the Chinook salmon’s love of caviar for their own purposes. The sea dweller is more gluttonous, and the opportunity to eat a satisfying meal in the sea is much greater than in rivers.

Young char, kunja and sockeye salmon can become victims of chinook salmon, as well as:

Shrimps;
Krill;
Squid.

Features of spawning

In Russia, salmon spawning time lasts from June to August. Fish in large schools enter the mouths of large rivers and rise up hundreds, and sometimes thousands of kilometers, to reach exactly the places where they were born. Thanks to its powerful body, Chinook salmon are able to overcome the resistance of fast currents (up to 1.5 m/s) and jump over high obstacles. Having reached the spawning ground, the females, with strong blows of their tail, form wide depressions in the pebbles and cobblestones, into which 10-14 thousand large eggs are thrown. After fertilization of the clutch by males, the life cycle of the spawners ends and their bodies begin to quickly deteriorate.

To learn more:

Omul: where the fish are found, what they eat and how they spawn

Nature has provided an additional mechanism of biological regulation, which allows the same shallow-water spawning grounds to be used without excessive pressure of fish. Many river systems host several spawning migrations of Chinook salmon per season, spaced one and a half to two months apart. This period of time is enough for the water to be cleared of rotting organic matter, and for the eggs to develop into a nimble and tenacious pied fry that can quickly find reliable shelters. This regulatory scheme is especially clear on the coast of North America. Here spring and autumn species forms have developed, which spawn in the same rivers in different seasons.

Benefits and harms

The main thing that seafood lovers value Chinook salmon for is the beneficial properties of its meat.

Regular consumption of Chinook salmon promotes:

Preventing the development of atrophic processes in the human nervous system;
Reducing the risk of brain diseases, namely sclerosis, dementia and Alzheimer's disease;
Strengthening the human skeleton;
Improving blood circulation and functioning of the cardiovascular system;
Improving the quality of the visual apparatus;
Preventing the occurrence of blood clots, various pathologies and osteoporosis.

In addition to the above benefits, positive effects include a beneficial effect on the condition of hair, nails and skin.

Chinook salmon meat is contraindicated for consumption by people with personal intolerance to seafood and allergies to certain components in the meat. It is not recommended to consume fish for pregnant women and people with chronic colitis and enteritis. People with gastrointestinal problems should eat fish with caution. Excessive consumption of delicious caviar can cause metabolic disorders. You should eat smoked wild salmon with a moderate appetite, as the smoked product is more difficult to digest and contains a large amount of salt.

Chemical composition and value

The calorie content of Chinook salmon meat is 148 kilocalories per 100 grams of product, of which 19.1 grams are proteins and 8 grams are fats.

Chinook meat contains vitamins:

RR;
Groups E;
Groups D;
Groups C;
Groups B, namely B12 and B9.

In addition to useful vitamins, the composition also includes useful minerals:

Nickel, Fluorine, Chromium;
Selenium, Copper, Iron;
Sulfur, Potassium, Phosphorus;
Sodium, Magnesium and Calcium.

Do not forget that in addition to useful vitamins and minerals, a Kamchatka resident may also contain harmful substances. Mercury is the main harmful element in Chinook salmon. The mercury content in meat depends on the age of the fish caught, its habitat, and what the Chinook salmon eat. The older the individual, the more harmful mercury accumulates in the meat.

Benefit

The benefits of chinook salmon for the body lie in the vitamins it contains, which regulate all internal processes. Of these, vitamin A is fat-soluble, and water-soluble are D, E, PP, group B. Royal salmon meat contains polyunsaturated essential acids that actively participate in metabolic reactions, stabilize the functioning of the central nervous system, protect against possible heart attacks, strokes, and other heart diseases and vessels.

For women, eating Chinook salmon helps prevent anemia, especially during the menstrual cycle and during labor bleeding. During pregnancy and lactation, it promotes the proper development of the skeleton and muscle tissue of the fetus. Increases immunity and protective functions of the body. Improves the condition of the skin, hair, nails.
In men, consuming chinook salmon improves protein metabolism, synthesis of fats and carbohydrates. Testosterone levels, libido, and seminal fluid quality increase. A fish diet helps strengthen muscle and bone tissue, and reduces the risk of age-related diseases.
Size and weight

For children, the inclusion of red fish in the diet promotes full physical development, skeletal and muscle growth, and strengthening the immune system.

Chinook salmon large

How to choose

Salted, cold smoked, canned and frozen chinook salmon arrives on store shelves. Freshly caught carcasses are a huge rarity. They are found only in cities where wild fish are caught.

Knowing a few simple rules, you can learn to distinguish a quality product from spoiled fish, which is imposed by unscrupulous sellers.

Let's consider five main recommendations for choosing quality products:

The first thing you should pay attention to is the smell of fish. Eating seafood should smell like the aromas of the salty sea. If a delicacy doesn’t smell like anything, it’s worth considering. Maybe the fish was rotten, but the seller used a trick and got rid of the unpleasant smell and mucus: he soaked the carcass in lemon juice and vinegar.
Chinook salmon flesh should be pink or red. If you have steaks with grayish-brown meat in front of you, do not buy it under any circumstances. The reason for this shade of meat could be defrosting and re-freezing the product. Also, it is not advisable to buy fish with very bright flesh. Unscrupulous sellers resort to special painting of the product to hide the age of the caught fish or simply to attract a buyer.
The body of Chinook salmon should be elastic. When you press on the carcass, the body should quickly return to its original shape.
If a carcass is sold with its head on, you need to look it in the eyes. They should be light, without a cloudy film.
Chilled wild salmon should have scales that fit snugly to the body. The gills of the fish should not be adjacent to the body. If the gills are white or green, it is dangerous to buy such fish. There is a possibility that it has already decomposed.

In regions where marine life does not live, fresh produce cannot be found in 90% of cases. You can run into such a product during the New Year holidays and at most until February, when suppliers are actively bringing the delicacy from Kamchatka. In other cases, they try to sell coho salmon products as non-frozen goods. Based on the simple tips listed above, you can bring yourself closer to buying tasty and, most importantly, safe fish.

Chinook salmon fishing - where, how and with what

In fresh water, young animals feed on crustaceans, insects, and fry. In the oceanic environment, the diet consists of zooplankton, crustaceans, squid and all kinds of fish living at depths of up to 35-40 meters. With such a nutritious menu, the voracious king salmon gains weight very quickly. In Russia, the main place for catching Chinook salmon is the fresh water bodies of Chukotka and Kamchatka during the migratory movements of the fish. Especially a lot of it enters the Bolshaya River and its tributaries (Plotnikova, Goltsovka, Nachilova), which stretch for 300 km from the Ganal Range to the Sea of Okhotsk.

The optimal tackle for catching Chinook salmon is considered to be a powerful sea spinning rod of medium action, which is equipped with a multiplier reel and braided cord (test from 25-30 kg) with increased resistance to abrasive wear. Since fish going to spawn completely stop feeding, bright and large spinners, wobblers and jigs are used, creating an active game by turning around the longitudinal axis.

Chinook salmon perceive such baits as young animals of other species (char, kunja, pink salmon, sockeye salmon) and reflexively grab them to protect their future offspring. The fish does not swallow the bait, but tries to spit it out. That is why an instant sharp hook immediately after the jerk of the tackle is so important.

To learn more:

Description of the trout fish - how is it useful?

To catch young Chinook salmon, which constantly lives in the river and actively feeds, animal baits are used in the form of a transparent bag with red caviar, shrimp, or a piece of fish. Fly fishing gear has proven itself well in tandem with large, brightly colored flies. Sea fishing for king salmon is carried out mainly by trolling. Fish carcasses, large wobblers and spinners are used as bait. It is effective to catch Chinook salmon using jigs using large vibrotails, twisters, and crustaceans.

Price

Chinook salmon is a tasty and healthy fish, for which you will have to pay more than pink salmon or chum salmon. However, the cost of the delicacy is justified. First-class caviar or Chinook salmon meat can turn any meal into a real feast.

You can buy fish in food supermarkets and specialized markets. The price of chinook salmon depends on various factors: carcass size, shape (whole, steaks, or fillets), processing method and place of catch. On average, the cost per kilogram is comparable to the price of fresh beef tenderloin.

Prices for this fish are within the following limits:

Fresh frozen carcass without head - from 900 rubles per kilogram;
Chilled fillet - from 1300 to 1500 rubles per kilogram;
Frozen steaks - 1350 rubles per kilogram.
Chinook caviar - 650 rubles per 100 grams.

Life cycle features

Grown-up individuals head to the sea or oceans and spend about 7 years there. They mainly feed on smaller fish or marine mollusks, as well as crustaceans. Subsequently, Chinook salmon return to fresh waters in order to give birth.

Return to the river usually occurs in May. Usually the fish spawns in small fresh rivers. It is capable of rising against the current over enormous distances - up to 4 thousand km. In Russia, the spawning period occurs in the summer months. In America, spawning occurs in both the autumn and winter months.

Chinook salmon is distinguished by its large, delicious caviar, reminiscent of that of chum salmon. Young individuals live in fresh water for about 2 years. They begin to feed on small fish, insects, and larvae. At sea, the diet of Chinook salmon has some differences. After 3 years, the fish reaches sexual maturity.

There is a special dwarf breed of Chinook salmon. As a rule, it is represented by males. These fish reach sexual maturity at sea by 2 years. These individuals do not enter the sea, being constantly in fresh water. They participate in spawning in the same way as everyone else. Chinook salmon is a rather rare fish; its commercial significance for Russia is not of serious importance.

Differences from coho salmon

Small chinook salmon are often confused with coho salmon. The striking differences between the Chinook salmon and this species of salmon are the presence of black gums on the lower jaw and small dark spots on the body that cover not only its back and caudal peduncle, but also both lobes of the caudal fin. The characteristic external features of coho salmon are a red head and belly, which cannot be found in Chinook salmon.

Taste differences include the level of fat content of the fish: Chinook salmon is much fattier. Chinook salmon differs from its counterpart in cost. The average cost of one kilogram of coho salmon is 780 rubles, which is almost two times cheaper than wild coho salmon.

Chinook fish - the queen of the salmon family

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Author Anatoly Tikhonov Reading time 26 min. Published June 1, 2020

Today we offer the topic: “Chinook fish - the queen of the salmon family” from professional fishermen. We tried to cover the topic as fully as possible. You can ask all questions in the comments after the article.

The largest representative of the vast genus of Pacific salmon is the Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), which is many times larger in size than its close relatives - pink salmon, coho salmon, masu salmon, and sockeye salmon. Even a meter-long chum weighing 14-15 kg looks inconspicuous compared to its “big sister”, which grows to 180 cm and weighs more than 61 kg. The only distant relative that can compete with it is the taimen (Hucho taimen), which grows up to 2 meters and weighs 75-80 kg.

Due to its outstanding size, chinook salmon (in the Itelmen dialect - “ch'uch'u”) are often called princely or king salmon, which is reflected in the official American name of the taxon - King Salmon. Excellent gastronomic qualities and active resistance when fishing have made it a popular object of commercial, sports and recreational fishing. This fish of the salmon family leads an anadromous (anadromous) lifestyle with pronounced river and oceanic phases.

The only spawning, development of eggs, emergence of fry (parts) and growth of juveniles (from 3-4 months to 1-2 years) occur in fresh water. Full maturation, formation of reproductive function and feeding of the main mass is carried out already in the marine environment. But there are exceptions - some males do not leave the river, forming a residential dwarf subspecies that acquires the ability to reproduce at 2-3 years with a small size of 12-45 cm.

The life expectancy of Chinook salmon is quite short, only 4-8 years. This is due to fatal hormonal changes in the body during the pre-spawning period. Over the course of 1-2 weeks, all producers who took part in the spawning process completely die.

The original territories of residence of king salmon in Russia are the Arctic Ocean basin, the Barents and Okhotsk Seas, the Commander Islands, Amur, Anadyr, Chukotka, and the Kamchatka Peninsula. In the USA, Canada and Japan, the species lives in the Sacramento and Coppermine basins, near northern Hokkaido, the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, Cape Krusenstern, and the Kent Peninsula. Freshwater bodies in this area are characterized by low temperatures, sparse vegetation, and poor plankton and benthos. The shortage of food supply was the main reason that forced the fish to go out to feed in the sea.

She has developed a special hypo-osmotic mechanism that allows her to easily adapt to life in water of any salinity. Chinook salmon thrive both in desalinated estuaries and bays, and in the open Pacific Ocean several thousand kilometers from the coast. At the same time, the reproductive function remained unchanged - the development of eggs occurs exclusively in the conditions of flowing cool rivers with a pebble or rocky bottom.

In order not to create food competition for growing juveniles and future offspring, during the pre-spawning period the salmon's gastrointestinal tract irreversibly atrophies, the place of which is taken by an additional volume of eggs and milt.

The fish has a very expressive exterior, which is characterized by:

slender long torpedo-shaped body;
pelvic fins moved back;
small cycloid scales (with a smooth posterior edge);
compressed sides;
large head section;
small eyes;
big mouth;
two dorsal fins (real and adipose) without spiny rays;
15 gill membranes and black gums on the lower jaw (unique species characteristics);
chaotically scattered dark spots covering the upper part of the body, caudal peduncle and both fin lobes.

The appearance and color of Chinook salmon depends on the specific life stage. The standard color scheme is bright silver flanks, white belly, and blue-green or olive back. During the mating season, light tones of color are replaced by purple, burgundy and pink shades. Large teeth grow in the mouth. Males have curved jaws. The body becomes angular and taller. But unlike many related taxa, king salmon do not develop a hump. Females are able to largely retain their original silver color.

The taste of the “prince of salmon” is close to salmon, but it is less fatty and high in calories (148-150 kcal per 100 g), which allows it to be used for dietary and gentle nutrition. Excellent for pickling, boiling, steaming, stewing, canning and baking. Red Chinook fish is well suited as a main or delicacy ingredient for salads, sandwiches, canapés, and appetizers. The aesthetic appearance of the fillet, combined with a delicate but dense structure, allows you to prepare very beautiful and appetizing fried dishes that retain their original shape.

A unique culinary ingredient is the bright red chinook caviar, which is characterized by the largest size (up to 7 mm) among all related species. The scarce product is highly valued among gourmets; it has a thin shell and a rich taste with a slight bitterness. Meat and caviar contain many elements. useful for the heart, blood vessels, vision, joints, muscles, musculoskeletal system, nervous system:

polyunsaturated fatty acids;
antioxidants (selenium);
natural antidepressants (tryptophan);
vitamins B9, B12, C, D, E, PP;
phosphorus, calcium, iron;
magnesium, potassium, sodium.

Regular consumption of chinook salmon prevents the accumulation of cholesterol plaques, reduces the risk of hypertension, diabetes, heart failure and the development of eye diseases. However, there are contraindications that are associated with individual intolerance to salmon foods, metabolic diseases (gout), and pancreatic problems (enteritis, colitis).

Fish of the salmon family have always been considered the most valuable and desired trophies for fishermen. Unsurpassed taste qualities and beneficial properties, and most importantly - the excitement and indescribable impressions of catching a huge representative - these are only part of the reasons to go hunting for these fish. Chinook salmon fishing is a mandatory step for every self-respecting fisherman going to Kamchatka or the American coast, because this representative of the salmon family meets all the requirements - it has valuable delicious meat with a unique taste, and body sizes that will satisfy the most gambling professional. For successful fishing, you will certainly need knowledge about the lifestyle of this enormous beauty - the Chinook salmon - and the basic techniques for catching it.

Chinook fish - an interesting description of the giant, habitat

Despite belonging to a valuable delicacy family, Chinook salmon differs from its counterparts in its considerable size and weight. The name “king salmon”, which the Americans gave it, is fully deserved due to the power, swiftness and cunning of the fish.

A distinctive feature of chinook salmon is its considerable weight, the average weight of adult specimens ranges between 8-15 kg, but often fishing luck favors the most stubborn and avid fishermen and bestows them with handsome fish weighing 30-35 kg. The length of the fish also deserves attention, the average size is slightly less than a meter, but some individuals of Chinook salmon found in natural conditions can grow up to one and a half meters. Recently, the giant has begun to be bred on farms, but the beauty living here cannot be called huge; 10-12 kg is the maximum weight.

Chinook differs from other salmon in the large (more than 15) number of gill rays. Usually for other salmon it is 12-13.

The color of Chinook salmon depends on its habitat and can be either a light gray shade or a darker greenish color. The description would be incomplete without mentioning the distinctive feature of chinook salmon from other salmonids - large stripes between the body and head. There are small black spots on the sides and both blades of the caudal fin - another feature of the fish. Chinook salmon are also characterized by black gums on the lower jaw. Interestingly, the spawning period also affects the color - the head darkens significantly, and the body acquires a rich brown tint.

What are the benefits of red Chinook fish? Cooks and housewives know very well that it has excellent taste, but doctors know that the beauty is useful due to the substances contained in the meat. Here are just the most valuable elements for the human body:

Chinook salmon is a recommended fish for people suffering from vision problems or joint damage, because in combination with therapy, a healthy diet can work real miracles.

In Russia, the giant lives in the Anadyr and Amur basin; the largest specimens are found in the Kuril Islands, and less often in Kamchatka. It is also found on the western coast of the Pacific Ocean, spreading to the Japanese islands.

Features of behavior, nutrition, differences from other members of the family

Chinook salmon spend most of their lives in sea waters, where they feed heavily. Migration occurs only before spawning; some fish travel up to three thousand kilometers, moving along the river in search of a place convenient for the reproduction of offspring.

The diet of Chinook salmon is varied and depends on where the fish lives - in the sea or river:

plankton;
marine crustaceans;
squid;
larvae of aquatic insects;
river crustaceans;
young fish.

How does Chinook salmon differ from representatives of its family? If brown trout and chum salmon change color to a brighter outfit before breeding, “king salmon” looks modest, because it does not show any special changes. Chinook salmon differs from coho salmon and trout in size, although the meat of these representatives of the salmon family is very similar, both in taste and in structure.

The distinctive features of Chinook salmon from trout and coho salmon can also be considered the time of spawning - the giant fish goes to breed in the summer, which is not entirely usual for the salmon family.

Chinook salmon usually spawn in small rivers; sometimes schools of fish travel at least four thousand kilometers from the mouth to the spawning site with great difficulty. Breeding usually occurs in the summer, but in the northern rivers of America this period shifts slightly to autumn and coincides with the spawning of coho salmon.

For spawning, powerful fish prepare nest-pits, easily knocking them out with their tails in the rocky bottom. One female can lay more than ten thousand eggs, depending on the age and size of the representative of the salmon family. The caviar is large, much larger than chum salmon caviar.

The fry emerge from the eggs after a few months. Cold water, which was chosen by fish for spawning, sometimes delays the hatching of young fish. Until the age of two, the young remain in the river, rapidly gaining body weight. Only after this does the young Chinook salmon try to gather in large schools and set off on its first journey to the sea. Some representatives of giant fish prefer to stay in the river until sexual maturity (usually males).

Chinook salmon fishing is a fascinating, but not entirely simple process.

How to catch Chinook salmon? There are many tricks and useful secrets here, because giants differ not only in size, but also in cunning. The main thing that a fisherman will need is a huge supply of patience, because finding a school moving quickly is not so easy. A large number of retrieves can result in just a few bites, regardless of the bait chosen.

The fish also reacts well to vibrations, but not so intensely. Good representatives of Chinook salmon are caught with this type of spinner, but to do this you will have to find a fishing spot; if you manage to stumble upon several individuals, it is better to turn to a proven method of fishing - arm yourself with a spinning rod with a spinner spinner.

Alaska has its own tricks and gear for catching a giant. Trolling is used to catch Chinook salmon here. What is trolling? This is a kind of fishing that takes place from a boat, with a large wobbler reminiscent of a banana trailing behind it. The middle tee of the wobbler is removed altogether, and a strong swivel and a powerful hook are installed in place of the rear tee.

More experienced anglers point out another useful aspect of fishing for Chinook salmon - trolling gear will be completely useless if you do not lure the fish. To do this, a large piece of fish (usually a sardine) is tied to a wobbler with a strong fishing line. The fragrant smell will attract Chinook salmon from the farthest corners of the reservoir.

With a little bit of luck, you can catch Chinook salmon on the bottom using caviar as bait. Of course, you can’t count on large specimens here, but if you get to a fishing spot, you can take them in quantity - small fish representatives happily pounce on such a treat.

Most often, chinook salmon is the object of hunting not for its culinary qualities and useful features, but as a valuable trophy for lovers of adrenaline bursts and thrills, because catching a giant is a coveted event not only for a beginner, but also for an experienced fisherman. It should be remembered that a positive result is only possible thanks to knowledge about the characteristics of the fish and completely depends on the gear. Weak tackles are a toy for the giant strongman; he will kill them with lightning speed. A powerful spinning rod and additional devices are not a cheap pleasure, which is why hunting for Chinook salmon is not accessible to everyone.

Salmon is the northern name for the Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, those populations that live in the rivers of the White and Barents seas. But Atlantic salmon is widespread on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, in Europe from the Kara Sea to Portugal, in America - from northern Canada to Connecticut. There are salmon populations in the Baltic Sea and in some large lakes. But Baltic salmon, like lake salmon, is the same Salmo salar, Atlantic salmon, the most famous representative of the salmon family.

Salmon - this delicious fish is valued for its amazing taste and unsurpassed nutritional properties, being a “healthy” component of any table. The main and indisputable advantage of salmon is from one to one and a half meters in length, covered with silver-colored scales, without the spots on the sides that are typical for salmon species of fish. The salmon's mouth is framed by a short premaxillary and long maxillary bone. The eyes are equipped with transparent eyelids. Young specimens, unlike mature fish, have weak teeth and no characteristic hook on the lower jaw, while the upper jaw has a corresponding recess for it. The salmon diet consists of small fish. During the period of active reproduction, he practically refuses to eat. When salmon leaves for spawning grounds, it can be identified by the prominent red or orange spots that appear on the body of the fish.

Fishing Features

The first thing you should pay attention to before hunting Chinook salmon is whether you have a fishing license. The most popular place for hunting is the Bolshaya River, which flows into the Sea of Okhotsk. Kamchatka wild salmon enters the Bolshaya River together with sockeye salmon in late May - early June. Its progress continues until the middle or end of July.

Fishing for Chinook salmon is not a quick hobby that requires “iron” patience. You have to fish all day long, as they say, from dawn to dusk. The main difficulty of the process is provoking the fish to bite. Since individuals do not like to hunt, they need to be teased. You can use both artificial and natural baits: juvenile char or eggs of other fish. In order for the fish to bite, you need to throw the bait so that it is right at the fish’s nose.

Chinook salmon hunting requires good physical preparation. Once the fish bites, it will offer strong and sharp resistance. It is recommended to use a strong marine spinning rod with medium action. Spinning reels must be very reliable with a stable cord that must cope with a resistance of 20 kilograms. It is better to choose a spoon with bright colors and triple plumage - this will help attract the attention of Chinook salmon.

What is Chinook salmon?

Where does it live?

To learn more:

What kind of fish is chum salmon?

In order not to create food competition for growing juveniles and future offspring, during the pre-spawning period the salmon's gastrointestinal tract irreversibly atrophies, the place of which is taken by an additional volume of eggs and milt.

How to cook

Wild salmon meat is practically devoid of small bones. It is painted in a delicate reddish tint. Chinook salmon smells pleasantly of the sea, and the taste of its meat is superior to a number of other fish of the salmon family. It is impossible to spoil a dish made from this fish. To prepare a delicious Chinook salmon dish, you don't need many additional ingredients. It is good in any form, which is why it is popular among chefs in restaurants. The taste of Chinook meat is similar to the taste of salmon, but the flesh is not as fatty. The calorie content of chinook salmon is 50 kcal less than that of salmon.

Chinook salmon can be prepared in all possible ways:

In the oven;
In a frying pan;
Grilled;
Microwave;
Using cold smoking;
Salted.

The meat is suitable for preparing appetizers, hot and cold, and salads. Chinook salmon is the largest species of salmon, and finding the caviar of this fish on sale is a real success. Russian fish is found in Kamchatka and is rarely found on sale. Therefore, caviar and the fish itself are recognized as a standard delicacy that everyone should try.

Chemical composition and KBZHU

The calorie content of this Kamchatka fish fillet per 100 g is 150 Kcal, proteins - 20 g, fats - 7.5 g. There are no carbohydrates in the composition. The composition contains a large number of vitamins and minerals:

vitamin PP;
tocopherol;
vitamin D;
ascorbic acid;
thiamine, riboflavin, cyanocobalamin;
nickel;
fluorine;
chromium;
selenium;
copper;
iron;
sulfur;
potassium;
phosphorus;
sodium;
magnesium;
calcium.

Chinook salmon in cooking

Chinook salmon is a red fish, its meat is raspberry-colored, tastes somewhat like salmon, but is more valuable.
Gourmets disagree on which is tastier - Chinook salmon or salmon. Their taste qualities are very close. But chinook salmon contains less fat and is significantly superior in taste to most salmon. When cooked correctly, Chinook salmon can be much tastier than salmon. Caviar is considered no less valuable. It has large eggs, which can reach a diameter of 6 mm. The taste of Chinook salmon caviar is bitter. It is advisable to eat no more than 5 teaspoons per day. The sodium contained in salted caviar retains water, therefore, constant consumption in large quantities will lead to metabolic disorders.

Dishes made from lightly salted chinook salmon are prized. For this purpose, blast freezing is used, which preserves the beneficial substances as much as possible. The fish is immediately cut, gutted and frozen. The fish is also pickled, smoked, dried, grilled, etc. It is easy to prepare.

It is necessary to take into account that chinook salmon in the store can be counterfeited and its analogues can be sold at a higher price. You may not be able to tell the difference in taste, but the nutritional value will be different.

Fried Chinook Salmon Recipe

First you need to get rid of the scales, cut the carcass along the ridge, removing the entrails.
Cut the fish fillet into small pieces, add salt and water with the juice of half a lemon, sprinkle with seasonings. Next, the fish is marinated in the refrigerator. Fry the onion in a frying pan. Then add buckwheat to it, add water (in a ratio of 1 to 3) and cook over medium heat. Remove the marinated fish from the refrigerator. Red chinook salmon is fried in a frying pan on both sides in vegetable oil. Prepared buckwheat, fish and green canned peas are placed on the plate as decoration.

Chinook salmon is considered a valuable product; its beneficial substances make it irreplaceable. Such a product must be present in the human diet.

Features of king salmon

But before you directly compare these types, it is useful to find out what they are. Chinook salmon are the largest species in the extensive genus of Pacific salmon. Such a fish very actively resists fishermen trying to pull it ashore (which is not surprising given such a large mass). This circumstance, together with an excellent culinary assessment, has made Chinook salmon in demand in both sport and non-professional fishing. The fish does not live long, from 4 to 8 years, which is associated with a violent hormonal upheaval during spawning.

Chinook salmon can only be found in cold sea waters. Vessels departing for king salmon go to:

Barencevo sea;
some areas of the Arctic Ocean;
Sea of Okhotsk;
area of the Commander Islands and Kamchatka.

It is also caught near the Aleutian Islands, along the northern coast of Japan, and off the coast of Alaska. Due to the poor food supply in fresh water bodies, fish are simply forced to go to the open sea to gain “fat.” To adapt to such a changing regime, Chinook salmon have developed a mechanism that allows them to survive in fresh and salt water.

This fish is lower in calories than salmon, and is somewhat better suited for dietary nutrition and gentle diets. Chinook salmon is not only salted, but also boiled, including steamed, stewed, and baked. It is recommended to use it in salads, sandwiches and light snacks. Chinook salmon caviar, which is famous for its bitter taste, deserves special attention. Both caviar and king salmon meat contain valuable microelements, fatty acids, ascorbic and folic acid.

Chinook salmon is rich in protein: per 100 g of pulp there are 20 g of protein components. Systematic consumption of such fish allows you to compensate for the lack of all essential vitamins and microelements. It is not customary to bake whole chinook salmon in the oven; it is usually divided into smaller parts. For dressing, soy sauce and olive oil are most often used. At home, you can make stuffed and salted chinook salmon very tasty.

King salmon should only be fried in a well-heated frying pan. If it is not hot enough, the pores will not be sealed with a golden brown crust, the juice will leak out and the dish will be irrevocably dry. Moreover, too long a heat treatment is undesirable. Chinook salmon's rich natural flavor means it should be cooked with only a moderate amount of seasoning.

It is strictly unacceptable to use paprika, which in any amount will spoil the impression.

Chinook salmon is a fish that will satisfy even the most demanding taste.

Hi all!

I want to tell you about a fish called Chinook salmon .

From the review you will learn about its beneficial properties and to whom it is contraindicated, about taste and appearance, about the price and where it lives, as well as some recommendations for choosing fish based on your own experience, some general information and, of course, a lot of delicious photos.

And so let's get started.

chinook salmon relatively recently, after which it became a frequent guest on our table.

Chinook salmon are considered not only the largest salmon, but also the largest freshwater fish in the Northeast. Chinook salmon, which is caught in Kamchatka, usually weighs from 6 to 17 kg, and its size usually ranges from 75 to 105 cm.

Appearance

In stores in our city, smoked chinook salmon can be purchased whole or in small pieces.

The skin of the fish is covered with small scales; it is quite dense and can be easily separated if desired.

The taste of this fish can be compared to trout or salmon. The fish is not bony, but sometimes bones are found.

Useful properties of chinook salmon

Chinook salmon meat contains vitamins PP, PP, C, B1, B2. It contains zinc, fluorine, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, chlorine, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, and unsaturated fatty acids. It is they, in combination with existing proteins, that have a beneficial effect on metabolism in the human body.

The most beneficial in Chinook salmon are eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. They reduce the possibility of developing angina pectoris and protect blood vessels from atherosclerosis. Improve brain function, reduce heart rhythm disturbances, the risk of heart attacks and strokes. In old age they help avoid depression and senile dementia.

Harm

Chinook salmon is an allergen, but causes allergic reactions in 1 case out of 250.

Modern research suggests that farmed red fish can be truly dangerous, as it contains significantly more toxic substances than wild salmon. Also, the amount of harmful substances in fish increases with age, and a huge amount of mercury accumulates in the meat of many predatory fish; the older the fish, the more mercury.

Even though I live in the Far East, in a region rich in fish, Chinook salmon are still brought to us from another region, since it lives in Kamchatka, in the Anadyr River, and in the Amur .

Price for 1 kg. smoked fish is 1200 rubles. To be honest, it’s expensive, but sometimes you really want to treat yourself to something tasty.

I would also like to share a few secrets when choosing Chinook salmon, based on personal experience.

the smaller the individual, the saltier it is
The most delicious part is the belly, it contains just the right amount of salt. The saltier parts are the head and tail, as well as the fins.
You can tell that the fish is smoked and not processed with liquid smoke by the marks on the skin from the ropes, and also by having a characteristic hole in the tail, this indicates that it was hung

Smoked Chinook salmon is a delicious product with high nutritional properties. It can serve as an excellent snack; you can use it to make delicious sandwiches, canapés, rolls and many other interesting dishes.

It is simply impossible not to love chinook salmon; it will satisfy even the most demanding taste, decorate the holiday table, and delight you with its excellent taste on weekdays.

Bon appetit!

Thanks for stopping by!

Salmon and salmon: what is the difference

Fish dishes should certainly be present in the diet of any person, since it has a positive effect on the body.
The higher the quality of the product and the more expensive it is, the greater the effect. The modern market offers a huge range of fish that can satisfy any taste. Often on store shelves you can see two fish that are almost identical in appearance - salmon and salmon. They have a number of significant differences, but not everyone knows about it. In order not to make mistakes when choosing a product, you need to know what the difference is between salmon and salmon. Which fish tastes better?

Coho salmon 33%, 1553 votes
1553 votes 33%
1553 votes - 33% of all votes
Salmon 29%, 1388 votes
1388 votes 29%
1388 votes - 29% of all votes
Trout 27%, 1260 votes
1260 votes 27%
1260 votes - 27% of all votes
Chum salmon 8%, 394 votes
394 votes 8%
394 votes - 8% of all votes
Pink salmon 3%, 123 votes
123 votes 3%
123 votes - 3% of all votes

Total votes: 4718

19.12.2019

Chinook salmon: what kind of fish is it, where is it found and how is it useful?

Chinook salmon is a very beautiful and large fish.
She has a rather large head and a torpedo-shaped body. When the fish is in the sea, it does not catch the eye. She has a dark back with a greenish olive tint. The sides and belly are cast in silver. A characteristic distinguishing feature of the fish are small dark spots on the lateral surfaces of the body and fins. No less characteristic is the dark stripe at the transition from the body to the head. When an individual arrives in the river, following the path to the spawning site, it acquires its colorful nuptial plumage . This change in appearance is a feature of all representatives of the salmon family. The body of this sea creature takes on a reddish-brown tint, and the back becomes almost black. The transverse stripes on the back disappear. In this case, there is no change in body proportions. There may be some curvature of the jaws in males and the appearance of teeth in both sexes.

Main differences

They differ from each other in that salmon unites a whole family and several genera of fish, while salmon is a specific species. Salmon is often called salmon, which does not contradict the classification of fish established by biologists. But it is incorrect to call any representative of salmon salmon, since it is only a separate species.

Salmon are found in the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as in northern freshwater bodies.

Salmon spawning occurs at the end of September or October. In regions with warmer climates, breeding begins in October and continues through January inclusive. Spawned individuals most often lose weight and lose strength, which leads to inevitable death. Therefore, most salmon spawn only once in their lives. With the arrival of spring, fry begin to emerge from the eggs. They can remain in river water for 5 years. During this time, each fry grows to approximately 20 centimeters in length, and the speckled color changes to silver-white scales. Then the matured juveniles move from the river element to lakes, seas and oceans, where as a result of active feeding they gain weight.

In addition to salmon, the salmon family includes many more species of fish, which in everyday life are called “red fish”. Here is a description of some of them.

Salmon

It is also called lake or Atlantic salmon. Some specimens can reach half a meter in length and weigh up to several tens of kilograms. You can see what salmon looks like in the presented photo. The body is covered with silvery scales, and the fat is distributed over the entire surface of the carcass. Salmon meat does not change color as a result of heat treatment. The life cycle does not exceed 13 years.

Trout

It is much smaller in size compared to salmon. On average, the length of one fish does not exceed 30 centimeters, and the average weight is 0.5 kg. Trout has a thinner fat layer, so it is lower in calories. The meat is either white or slightly yellow or red in color.

Coho salmon

This fish is also quite large in size: it can grow up to 98 centimeters and reach a weight of up to 15 kilograms. It is found in Japan and America, where it is called silver salmon because its scales are bright silver in color. And its old Russian name is white fish.

Chinook

Another name for this species of salmon is king salmon. The average length of its body is 90 centimeters. It is distinguished from other species of the salmon family by a larger number of gill rays. In total there are more than 15 of them.

Chum salmon

One of the most common representatives of the salmon family. The maximum body length that was officially recorded was 1 meter, and the weight was almost 16 kilograms. Among all salmon species, chum salmon has the widest range. Lives on average 7 years.

Red salmon

This type of salmon has a brighter color. On average, they grow up to 80 centimeters in length, their weight ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 kilograms. Spawning occurs mainly in lakes, in places where springs emerge. Sockeye salmon also differs from other salmon fish in the color of its flesh. The photo shows that it is not pink, like the others, but bright red.

Pink salmon

This is the most widespread fish species among salmon. It is easy to distinguish from the rest, since pink salmon is the smallest of all species of the salmon family. The average specimen reaches a mass of about 2 kilograms.