Oregon Outdoor Excursions, LLC
Santiam Canyon, Oregon
(503) 767-BITE

http://www.oregonoutdoorexcursions.com
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Oregon Guide Registration # 4363

Fish Species

Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

The Chinook salmon is a species of anadromous fish in the salmon family. It is a Pacific Ocean salmon and is variously known as the king salmon, tyee salmon, Columbia River salmon, black salmon, chub salmon, hook bill salmon, winter salmon, Spring Salmon, Quinnat Salmon and blackmouth.

Chinook Salmon are typically divided into "races" with "spring chinook", "summer chinook", and "fall chinook" being most common.

The North Santiam has a run of Spring Chinook (Spingers) that enter the river in late March - early April each year. Fish are typically in the low to mid 30's size, but can reach into the mid-40's and even larger. Fish that enter the river after August 15th are classified as Fall Chinook by the Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife.

The Chinook will be in the system until September, when they begin spawning in the shallow gravel beds. Generally, the season for Chinook on the North Santiam closes on August 15th to limit harrassment of the fish that spawn in the river. Broodstock are collected at the Minto Facility just downstream from Big Cliff Dam. Juveniles are hatched and raised at the Marion Forks Hatchery upstream of Detroit Reservoir and distributed throughout the Willamette River system in the spring.

See our Fish Counts page for current and historical fish counts.

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