Skip to main content

Chum Salmon

Chum Salmon

Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) are one of California's rarest salmon species, representing the southernmost populations of this Pacific Northwest fish.

Current populations are critically small with only an estimated few hundred fish spawning annually across the entire state.

Scientific Name: Oncorhynchus keta

Physical Characteristics:
  • California chum are typically smaller than their northern counterparts, reaching less than 26 inches in length.
  • Spawning fish develop distinctive characteristics including dark olive backs, dark maroon sides with irregular greenish vertical bars, slight humps, hooked snouts with canine-like teeth, and notably lack spots on their backs and tails.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Chum salmon prefer lower river reaches close to the coast.

Key Locations

  • The primary remaining populations exist in three river systems: the Smith, Klamath, and Trinity Rivers.
  • The most reliable locations where chum have been documented include the Smith River system (particularly Mill Creek), Klamath River, and South Fork Trinity River in northern California.
  • Historically, chum also spawned in the Sacramento River and are still occasionally observed in coastal streams like Redwood and Lagunitas Creeks in Marin County, Freshwater and Redwood Creeks in Humboldt County, and sporadically in the Eel and Van Duzen Rivers.

Specific Spots

  • They hold in slower water 3-7 feet deep and travel along the outside edges of fast water, utilizing seams and bubble lines as travel routes.
  • Chum are easily stopped by low barriers due to their poor swimming ability.

Chum Salmon FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Chum Salmon in California?

Bright colored lures in pink, purple, chartreuse, and cerise work well. Spoons and spinners. Roe or beads for drift fishing.

What flies work for Chum Salmon in California?

Streamer patterns, bushy marabou flies, and e.g.g-sucking patterns. Bright colored flies in pink, purple, chartreuse, and cerise work well.

When is the best time to fish for Chum Salmon in California?

Adults typically return to spawn at ages 3-5, entering California streams from August through January, with peak activity in December and January. Adults are typically observed in California streams during December and January (avoid these spawning periods), though they can appear as early as August.

How do you catch Chum Salmon in California?

Traditional salmon fishing methods like swinging flies through deeper runs, drift fishing with roe or beads, and casting spoons and spinners can be effective.

What do Chum Salmon eat?

Unlike other salmon species, chum fry spend only a short time in freshwater before migrating to estuaries where they feed primarily on microscopic crustaceans like copepods. In the ocean, they consume both invertebrates and fish, with jellyfish being particularly important in their diet.

Fish smarter with real-time insights

Whether you're en route and conditions shift or you're looking for the best spot based on current flows, we enable you to make informed decisions on the fly.

See it in the app

Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Chum Salmon.

  1. 01 · Species map filter

    Map every Chum Salmon water

    Pick Chum Salmon and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.

  2. 02 · Waterbody species

    Tap any water. See what lives there.

    Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.

  3. 03 · Angler Intelligence

    Ask how to catch Chum Salmon

    Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.

Stop guessing where Chum Salmon are.

Open the map, filter by Chum Salmon, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.

  • Species map filter
  • Angler Intelligence
  • Fishing journal
Try onWater+ for free

Explore other species

Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.

No species information available.

California licenses and regulations

Explore nearby waters

Explore California waters

Top fishing waters

Popular Cities

Loading popular cities...

Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.

onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.