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Pink Salmon

Pink Salmon

Pink salmon are the smallest of the Pacific salmon species and in Oregon are almost always encountered while fishing for other salmon species rather than being specifically targeted.

Also known as humpback salmon

Physical Characteristics:
  • Pink salmon typically measure 20-25 inches long and rarely weigh over 5 pounds.
  • They're silver when young but darken and develop black spots on their tails and backs as they age.
  • During spawning, males develop a distinctive hump on their backs and turn red on their sides, while females become green with dark bars.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They spawn very close to saltwater, never traveling far upriver - some even spawn in inter-tidal zones.

Key Locations

  • Coastal bays and the lower reaches of Oregon's coastal rivers.

Specific Spots

  • Focus on areas where multiple salmon species overlap, particularly in coastal bays and the lower reaches of Oregon's coastal rivers.

Pink Salmon FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What flies work for Pink Salmon in Oregon?

Small sparse flies for saltwater and both small sparse and larger brighter patterns for freshwater.

When is the best time to fish for Pink Salmon in Oregon?

Avoid targeting them during their spawning period (typically late summer through fall in tidal zones and lower river reaches). Pink salmon have a unique biennial cycle, spawning only in odd-numbered years in Oregon waters.

How do you catch Pink Salmon in Oregon?

Dr.ift fishing, casting small lures, or fly fishing with appropriate presentations for the water conditions. Use techniques similar to those for other salmon.

What do Pink Salmon eat?

Pink salmon feed on zooplankton during their early ocean life, transitioning to larger prey as they grow. Young pink salmon consume various zooplankton species, primarily large calanoid copepods and euphausiids, while larger individuals also eat small fishes and juvenile squid.

Where do Pink Salmon live in Oregon?

They spawn very close to saltwater, never traveling far upriver - some even spawn in inter-tidal zones.

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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.

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Oregon licenses and regulations

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