How to Identify Alaska King Salmon

There are many different types of fish you can come across while on the water.  Anglers looking to go after the biggest prey will likely pay more attention to Alaska king salmon.  However you will need to learn how to identify these fish which are commonly mistaken for silver salmon.  Here are a few things you need to know.

First, it is important for you to learn to recognize their color.  King salmon have a bluish gray back with silver on the sides.  These fish also have an assortment of irregularly placed black spots on their backs and dorsal fins.  These irregular spots are also found on both the upper and lower lobes of their tails.

You will also notice these salmon have a wide, forked tail.  One of their most distinctive features is their black gums on the lower jawline.  This is how you can easily make the distinction between Alaska king salmon and other fish which look similar.

It is important to note king salmon undergo physical changes just before spawning.  The most noticeable change is their silver color changes to a dark red.  Their spine will also change into a ridgeback shape and they will also develop a hooked jaw.  These changes occur mostly in males as the females do not change color noticeably and also keep the normal shape.

The king salmon found in Alaska are the biggest member of the Pacific salmon species.  However, they can spend up to five years in the ocean before returning to their native waters to spawn.  This means the fish can be different sizes within the same run.

Some of the more mature fish will be anywhere between ten and 15 inches long.  The biggest can weigh up to 125 pounds; although most people will never come across one that size.  The average size is between 25 and 35 pounds.  

Different rivers in Alaska are also known to produce bigger fish.  The Kenai River is particularly popular.  It holds the record for producing the largest king salmon on record.  The river even holds nine out of the top ten largest catches on record.

Now you know how to identify Alaska king salmon, start planning a trip to try your hand at catching one.  Even if you do not make your way to the Kenai River, there are plenty of other bodies of water you can have success fishing in.