Where to Catch King Salmon: The Ultimate Guide

King salmon, also known as Chinook salmon, are one of the most popular and prized game fish for anglers across North America. These large, powerful fish put up a tremendous fight and make for an exciting fishing experience. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best places to catch king salmon and provide tips on how to hook one of these hard-fighting fish.

An Overview of King Salmon

Before we dive into the best fishing spots, let’s take a quick look at some key facts about king salmon:

• The largest of the Pacific salmon species, king salmon average 10-50 pounds but can reach up to 135 pounds.
• They have a long, torpedo-shaped body with a dark blue-green back that fades to silver on the sides. Black spots cover the tail and both lobes of the caudal fin.
• King salmon are anadromous, meaning they hatch in freshwater, migrate to the ocean to feed and grow, and return to freshwater to spawn.
• They prefer cold water below 55°F and are found mainly off the West Coast of North America, from California to Alaska.
• King salmon primarily eat smaller fish like herring, anchovies, and smelt. Anglers use similar baitfish imitations as lures.
• The peak fishing seasons are late spring through early fall, when kings return from the ocean to spawn in rivers.

Now that we’ve covered some king salmon basics let’s look at the top fisheries across North America to catch one.

Kenai River, Alaska

The clear champion for king salmon fishing is Alaska’s mighty Kenai River. Located near the town of Kenai on the Kenai Peninsula, the turquoise waters of the Kenai flow 82 miles from Kenai Lake to Cook Inlet.

• The river sees multiple runs of king salmon from May through July, providing world-class fishing opportunities. The early run in May-June produces 30-50 pound kings, while the late run in July sees even larger fish up to 80 pounds.

• Drift boats are the most popular way to fish the Kenai, allowing anglers to cover prime fishing holes. Backtrolling and backbouncing roe or lures are effective techniques

• The Russian and Killey rivers also hold impressive runs of king salmon and provide alternatives to combat the crowds on the Kenai.

• A king salmon stamp is required in addition to an Alaska fishing license. Guides and charters are plentiful if you need assistance navigating the river.

With kings reaching epic proportions, the Kenai River deserves its fame as the king salmon fishing capital of the world.

Columbia River, Oregon and Washington

Stretching over 1,200 miles from British Columbia to the Pacific Ocean, the mighty Columbia River nurtures strong runs of king salmon from spring through fall.

• The Buoy 10 fishery near Astoria, Oregon sees kings up to 40 pounds from August-September. Slow trolling herring or spinners works well here.

• Near Portland, kings return to the Willamette River from March-June. The Clackamas River also holds spring kings.

• Upstream near Richland, Washington, the Hanford Reach section of the Columbia produces king salmon from April-July.

• Farther north, the region near Brewster and Bridgeport sees summer and fall king salmon fishing from June-October.

With diverse fisheries across hundreds of miles, the Columbia River system provides outstanding opportunities to catch king salmon.

Lake Michigan, Michigan

Believe it or not, Lake Michigan harbors a robust population of king salmon. Introduced in the 1960s, these ocean-run fish thrive in the Great Lake.

• Kings run 10-25 pounds in Lake Michigan, with 30 pounders caught each year. The fishing season peaks from April-September.

• Popular ports like Manistee, Ludington, and Muskegon offer charter boats that troll for salmon in the deep waters of the lake.

• Meat rigs, flasher flies, and spoons mimic the alewife baitfish that king salmon target in Lake Michigan. Fishing 60-100 feet down over depths of 200+ feet is most productive.

• Pier and surf fishing are also an option, especially later in the season as salmon move closer to shore to spawn in tributaries like the Manistee and Pere Marquette rivers.

For a unique salmon fishing experience, head to Lake Michigan where kings invade from the Pacific Ocean.

Sacramento River, California

While many Pacific salmon rivers are quite remote, California’s Sacramento River provides convenient salmon fishing near major urban areas.

• The Sacramento River sees king salmon from July-December, with the peak months being August-October.

• Kings range from 8-25 pounds here, with larger 30-40 pound “jumbos” hooked each season. The Sacramento produces the largest Chinook salmon outside of Alaska.

• Drift boats, jet boats, and rafts are used to fish the main river near Redding. Bank fishing is popular in the Redding and Chico areas as well.

• Backbouncing roe, crankbaits, and drifting roe/nightcrawlers are effective techniques on the Sacramento.

With accessibility and numbers of large, hard-fighting kings, the Sacramento River is a top destination for king salmon anglers.

Other Notable Fisheries

While the above destinations offer the most consistent king salmon fishing, there are many other excellent fisheries across North America:

• Alaska: Copper River, Situk River, Nushagak River
• British Columbia: Fraser River, Skeena River
• Washington: Nooksack River
• Oregon: Rogue River, Umpqua River
• California: Klamath River, American River, Feather River
• Great Lakes: Lake Ontario, Lake Huron

Tips for Catching King Salmon

To maximize your chances of hooking one of these massive salmon, follow these tips:

• Use stout tackle – king salmon can quickly snap lightweight rods and lines. Use medium-heavy rods and 30 pound test or higher line.

• Fish deep – troll or drift baits/lures 60-100 feet down to reach kings in their preferred habitat. Consider using downriggers.

• Vary retrieves – the classic “twitch and pause” works well for crankbaits and spoons. For roe, a very slow retrieve works best.

• Use scent – anise, krill, and shrimp scents help attract king salmon to your offerings.

• Stay mobile – don’t anchor in one spot too long. Troll through productive holes and keep adjusting your presentation.

From the legendary rivers of Alaska to easily accessible waters in the Great Lakes and West Coast, many excellent fisheries provide a chance to catch the hard-fighting king salmon. With their immense size and strength, hooking a Chinook tests an angler’s skills and provides an unforgettable fishing adventure. Follow the tips above to plan a successful king salmon fishing trip. Just be ready for the battle of a lifetime when one of these massive fish takes your bait!