An Introduction to Salmon Fishing

Where to fish for salmon or the Chinook or the kingeagles and people on the run up to their spawning
salmon. The pacific salmon range from California togrounds. The decaying fish supply food for the river
Alaska. These anadromous species can be found inor stream organisms which provide food for the fry
most pacific coastal waters, streams and rivers thatafter the hatch. The fry will spend up to 18 months
have a good flow of water and temperature as wellin the river and stream systems before heading out
as a suitable habitat for going up to spawn. You willto sea to repeat the process all over
find that they may be as many as three spawns perBefore you fish for salmon you will need to check
year, spring ,summer, fall.the regulations in the area you are planning to fish in
The average size of the Chinook can be from 16 toevery area will have different regulations. Time to
20 lb. but you will see larger fish up to 55 lb. takenfish size limits and the number of the fish you may
from the remote areas along the pacific coast .Fromkeep. State and Provincial Regulations must be
BC Alaska you can catch the largest or the Chinook.followed as the fines can be very large if you get
Fish up to 65 lb. which are common have been takencaught fishing with out the proper license or are out
from the coastal areas.of season. Always check with the regulatory body
The Chinook will return to the river in which theyfor the area you will be fishing in. Better to have
spawned from at the age of 2 to 7 years old. Thewhat you need than to lose a boat or vehicle or go
salmon will travel over 7000 miles at sea to return toto jail.
its spawning grounds. One of the longest riverIf fishing in early spring or late summer or in the fall
spawns is the 2000 miles battle up the Yukon Riverbe aware that you may see bears of all sizes after all
located in the state of Alaska.you are fishing in their favorite spot. Give them a
With the advancement of man a lot of the smallerwide berth they are hungry and will protect their
streams have been choked of with pollution and siltterritory. Better to play safe than to have a bad
from local construction. Some of the streams haveencounter you will lose if you come into contact with
been filled in for housing and commercial use. Therea bear.
has been a increase of volunteers to clean up theTrolling from a boat will help you avoid the bears. The
streams and repair the gravel spawning grounds. Withdown rigger is very popular to get the bait down to
some success the salmon have slowly been returningthe level to which the salmon are at. Trolling depth
to these devastated areas.will vary from 10 ft to 150 ft a lead cannon ball from
The salmon use solar navigation ,smell, day light and2 to 10 lb. will be used .Hootches , and anchovies
rain fall to help guide them to the spawning grounds.work in most location best to check with the local
Most need a gravel bed of course gravel to spawn in.guides to find out what is working on the given days
The female will dig out a spot and lay her eggs andyou are fishing.
the male will fertilize the eggs with jets of milt. BothNo matter what you fish with or which method you
fish die with in days of spawning.use a Chinook salmon will give you a fight you will not
The spawning fish feed many bears ,bird like thesoon forget.