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DIVISION OF FISH AND GAME 



SILVER SALMON 

 Oncorhynchus kisutch 



Relationship: A member of the salmon and trout family, Salmonidae, as are 

 the trouts and the four other species of Northeast Pacific salmon, all of which have 

 been taken in California. 



Distinguishing Characters: The presence of an adipose fin; the dorsal fin 

 composed of soft rays ; the scaly appendage above the base of each ventral fin ; the first 

 arch with 19-25 gill rakers, (separating it from the red salmon which has 30 or more) ; 

 the pyloric caeca numbering 45-83 (separating it from the king, pink, and chum salmons 

 which have at least 93) ; the 13 or 14 (rarely 12, 15, 16, 17) anal rays (separating it 

 from the trouts with normally 12 or fewer). Like the king salmon, these fish change in 

 appearance when they enter fresh water and become mature. Reaches a maximum 

 weight of 30 pounds but individuals over 15 pounds are rare. Color: At sea, metallic 

 blue or blue green above becoming silvery on the sides and belly ; small dark spots on 

 the back, dorsal fin and upper lobe of the caudal fin. Mature males become mostly 

 brick red and mature females a dull bronze. 



Distribution: At sea from at least the Coronado Islands, Mexico, north to 

 Alaska and south on the Asiatic side to Japan. Rare south of Monterey. Spawns in 

 rivers and streams from Monterey Bay north but does not enter the Sacramento-San 

 Joaquin system. 



Fishing Season: Consult fish and game regulations. Varies by district. 



Importance: Forms the smaller, but nevertheless sometimes important, part of 

 the commercial salmon catch. A very desirable sport fish. 



Fishing Gear: Troll lines. Sportsmen troll or use hook and line. 



Unauthorized Names: Coho salmon, dog salmon, hookbill, silversides, jack 

 salmon. 



