Salmon Identification

Friday, 20 March 2009 08:18 administrator

Five species of salmon are indigenous to the waters of British Columbia, and opportunities to fish for these salmon exist in both BC's tidal waters and freshwater.

Immediately prior to fishing, please consult the Salmon Oportunities in Saltwater or Salmon Opportunities in Freshwater pages for updated openings and closures.

A salmon conservation stamp must be purchased and affixed to the tidal waters licence of all anglers who wish to retain any salmon caught.

A provincial salmon conservation stamp is also required to retain any salmon caught in freshwater.

Go to the Recreational Licensing section for more information.

You must immediately record in ink on your licence all chinook retained. Also, it is illegal to catch or attempt to catch a salmon by snagging or with snares.

Illustration showing how to measure a salmon

How Big is Your Salmon Catch?
Use the table below to estimate its weight:

Inches.....................Pounds
20.............................3.0
24.............................6.5
30...........................15.5
40...........................30.0
44...........................45.0

Salmon weight can also be estimated by using the formula:
Length x Girth² (in inches) ÷ 800

Metric conversion - 2.5 cm=1 inch; 1 kg=2.2 lbs.

Pacific Salmon Species: