Pink Salmon: Small Salmon, Big Fishing Action
The Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) is a cold-water member of the salmon family known for its distinctive spawning appearance and unusual two-year life cycle. It is also commonly called the Humpback Salmon or “Humpy” because mature males develop a pronounced hump along their backs as they prepare to spawn.
Native populations occur in the Pacific and Arctic regions of North America and Asia. The species did not originally occur in Ontario, but an accidental release into the Lake Superior watershed during the 1950s eventually led to an established Great Lakes population. Ontario now classifies the fish as introduced and naturalized.
Today, anglers can encounter these salmon throughout the Great Lakes and their tributaries.
Identification
Appearance changes considerably as these fish approach spawning season.
In open water, adults generally have a bright silver body with a darker blue-green or grey back. Large black spots appear along the back and across both lobes of the tail.
Ontario identifies several useful characteristics:
- Large black spots on the back
- Heavy spotting on the tail fin
- No black spots on the dorsal fin
- Forked tail
- Narrow caudal peduncle
- Relatively small scales
- Small mouth compared with some larger salmon species
The spawning transformation makes mature males particularly easy to recognize.
As males enter rivers to reproduce, their bodies darken and they develop the prominent hump responsible for the “Humpback Salmon” nickname. Their jaws can also become enlarged and hooked.
Females undergo colour changes as well, although they don’t develop the dramatic hump seen on mature males.
Where Are They Found?
Pink Salmon are native to the northern Pacific Ocean and surrounding coastal watersheds.
Ontario’s population has a very different history.
Fish from Pacific hatchery stock entered a Lake Superior tributary following an unintentional release in 1956. The population subsequently established itself and expanded through the Great Lakes system.
Ontario now reports the species in all five Great Lakes.
Their Ontario distribution primarily includes the Great Lakes and associated tributaries rather than inland lakes throughout the province.
Preferred Habitat
Cold water plays an important role throughout their lives.
Within the Great Lakes, adults spend much of their time in open water. Ontario’s freshwater fish database classifies them as a cold-water, pelagic species and lists a preferred temperature range of approximately 13–17°C (55–63°F).
Their habitat changes dramatically when spawning season approaches.
Mature fish leave the lakes and enter tributaries during fall. Suitable rivers and streams provide the flowing water and gravel required for reproduction.
Young fish eventually leave their natal tributaries and move into the larger lake environment.
Diet and Feeding
Diet changes as the fish develops.
Young salmon consume small aquatic organisms, including insects and crustaceans. As they grow and move into larger bodies of water, they take advantage of whatever suitable prey is available.
Food sources can include:
- Aquatic insects
- Insect larvae
- Zooplankton
- Small crustaceans
- Small fish
- Other available aquatic organisms
Feeding conditions in the Great Lakes differ from those in their native Pacific environment, so prey availability influences diet and growth.
Size and Weight
Pink Salmon are generally the smallest of the Pacific salmon species commonly encountered by anglers.
Ontario lists adults at approximately 34 to 47 centimetres in length and about 0.36 to 0.88 kilograms in weight in its freshwater fish database. However, exceptional individuals can grow considerably larger.
Ontario’s fish identification guide lists a provincial record of approximately 83 centimetres (32.7 inches) and 5.9 kilograms (13.06 pounds).
Most fish encountered by anglers will fall well below that exceptional record size.
A Unique Two-Year Life Cycle
One of the most fascinating characteristics of this species is its remarkably short and predictable lifespan.
Most individuals complete their entire life cycle in approximately two years. Ontario’s freshwater fish database lists a lifespan of about two to three years, with maturity occurring within that same narrow age range.
This life history creates separate populations that reproduce during odd-numbered and even-numbered years.
Because fish from one generation generally don’t reproduce with the generation from the following year, one year-class can become much stronger than the other in a particular region.
As a result, anglers may notice dramatic differences in abundance from one year to the next.
Spawning and Reproduction
Spawning occurs during the fall, primarily in September and October in Ontario.
Mature adults leave the Great Lakes and enter tributaries in search of suitable spawning habitat.
Females select areas containing gravel and flowing water, then use their tails to create nests known as redds. After a female deposits her eggs, males fertilize them.
A female can produce hundreds or even thousands of eggs. Ontario’s freshwater fish database lists a fecundity range of approximately 800 to 2,800 eggs.
Adults complete their life cycle after spawning and die.
The eggs remain protected among the gravel until the young hatch and eventually begin their journey toward the larger lake environment.
Behavior and Seasonal Movement
Season has a major influence on where these salmon live.
For much of their adult lives, they occupy the open waters of the Great Lakes. As spawning season approaches, mature fish begin moving toward tributaries.
Late summer and fall bring the most noticeable change. Fish congregate near river mouths before moving upstream to reproduce.
During this migration, males undergo their dramatic physical transformation, including darker coloration, enlarged jaws and the characteristic hump.
After spawning, the adults die and the next generation continues the cycle.
Pink Salmon vs. Chinook Salmon
Pink and Chinook Salmon both belong to the genus Oncorhynchus, but several characteristics help anglers distinguish them.
Size provides an obvious clue. Chinook Salmon typically grow much larger, while Pink Salmon remain relatively small.
Tail spotting also helps with identification. Both species can have spotted tails, but Pink Salmon typically display numerous large black spots across the tail and back.
Their mouths provide another useful difference. Chinook are famous for their dark mouths and black gums, while Pink Salmon don’t display the same distinctive combination.
The male spawning hump provides perhaps the easiest clue during fall. Mature male Pinks develop a pronounced hump that Chinook don’t possess.
Pink Salmon vs. Coho Salmon
Coho Salmon can also appear similar, particularly when fish retain their bright open-water coloration.
The tail provides one useful identification feature. Pink Salmon typically have numerous large spots covering both lobes of the tail.
Coho usually display a different spotting pattern and grow considerably larger.
During spawning season, the differences become much more obvious as mature Pinks develop their characteristic body shape and males form a noticeable hump.
Careful identification remains important because fishing regulations can differ between species and locations.
Fishing for Pink Salmon
Anglers pursue these fish in both the Great Lakes and tributaries.
Fishing opportunities can increase during late summer and fall as mature adults gather near river mouths and begin their spawning migration.
Common presentations include:
- Spoons
- Spinners
- Small plugs
- Jigs
- Artificial flies
- Drifted presentations
Lighter tackle can make fishing particularly enjoyable because these salmon generally remain smaller than Chinook or Coho.
Anglers should check current regulations before fishing. Ontario’s fishing regulations group Pink, Chinook and Coho together as Pacific salmon for certain regulatory purposes, while seasons and limits can vary by Fisheries Management Zone and individual waterbody.
Interesting Facts
The scientific name is Oncorhynchus gorbuscha.
Another common name is Humpback Salmon, referring to the large hump that mature males develop during spawning.
These fish belong to the Salmonidae family alongside other salmon, trout, char and whitefish.
They are not native to Ontario. The Great Lakes population traces back to an unintentional release of hatchery fish into a Lake Superior tributary in 1956.
From Lake Superior, the population eventually expanded throughout the Great Lakes system. Ontario now reports them in all five Great Lakes.
Their approximately two-year life cycle is unusually short for a salmon.
Separate odd-year and even-year populations can result in significant differences in abundance between consecutive years.
Males undergo one of the most dramatic spawning transformations among Great Lakes fish, developing a large hump, darker coloration and altered jaws.
Adults die after reproducing, completing their life cycle after a single spawning event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Pink Salmon native to Ontario?
No. Ontario classifies them as an introduced species. The Great Lakes population originated following an unintentional release of hatchery stock into a Lake Superior tributary in 1956.
Are they found in the Great Lakes?
Yes. Ontario reports established populations in all five Great Lakes.
Why are they called Humpback Salmon?
Mature males develop a pronounced hump along their backs during the spawning season, which led to the Humpback Salmon or “Humpy” nickname.
What do they eat?
Their diet can include aquatic insects, zooplankton, crustaceans and small fish. Available prey and age influence what an individual consumes.
How big do they get?
They’re relatively small compared with Chinook and Coho Salmon. Ontario’s freshwater fish database lists an adult range of approximately 34 to 47 centimetres, although exceptional specimens grow much larger.
How long do they live?
Their life cycle is remarkably short. Most mature and reproduce at approximately two years of age, with Ontario listing an overall lifespan of roughly two to three years.
When do they spawn?
Ontario populations generally spawn during September and October.
Do they die after spawning?
Yes. Adults reproduce once and die after spawning.
What’s the difference between Pink and Chinook Salmon?
Pink Salmon are generally much smaller. Mature males also develop a distinctive spawning hump, while Chinook grow considerably larger and are recognizable by their dark mouths and black gums.