Can You Identify These Two Salmon Species?

We encountered all five Pacific salmon species while fishing at Coastal Springs Float Lodge in Knight Inlet BC Canada. Here are two of them, can you tell what they are?
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My name is Kitty Kanhoffen, I am a teacher as well as an outdoor enthusiast. My passion for the outdoors first started when I was introduced to fishing through my husband Daniel in 2012 and it expanded quickly when I began co-hosting on Fishing with Rod. The curiosity did not kill this Kitty, but has only furthered my passion beyond fishing, which now includes foraging and hiking in British Columbia, Canada.
On this channel, you will find a collection of videos which document my adventures, discoveries, successes and mistakes. My videos include fishing, mushroom hunting and hiking. Thanks for stopping by and please subscribe! 🎣🍄🏔

[@traveleats6833]

As someone who is relatively new to BC I certainly could not tell the difference. My partner and I greatly appreciate your video's, we are learning a lot. Keep up your great work.

[@genedavis759]

A is chum by silver smudge on tail B is Sockeye by scale size and short jaw .

[@macgyver5108]

WOW! I've caught TONS of both of those Salmon over the years and recognized the white lips of the Coho right off the bat, but the Chum had me baffled, as I've never fished for them in open water, only up river! Thanks for the info! The other thing I noticed was the pelvic fins on the Chum were a hair farther back vs the Coho, not sure if that's a dead giveaway or not...

[@jesse75]

The eyes are the giveaway for an ocean caught Chum.

[@stevesbees]

Thank you for the video, I have caught a lot of Coho but not chum. When you get a chance and have them on board can you show a pink and chum compared. I hear both of these species are good smoked but rank lower for table fair. One I know gets beautiful stripes when spawning. Thank you Kitty. You are' a teacher!!!!

[@SledorFish]

My immediate thought was coho and sockeye. I had to pause the video and really look to tell it was a chum. Pound for pound probably the best fighting salmon. We targeted them in Puget Sound one year and had an absolute blast. If you want to test your gear for big chinook, go chum fishing.

[@lawrenceblue8207]

I learn how to tell the difference between both salmon from, Kitty, the tail with the chum and coho. I do know the difference between Chinook and steelhead

[@KittyKanhoffen]

Fabulous!! It's very important to get the brain juices flowing!

[@MarktheMartian]

Cool deal fish ID love it! Can you do a vid showing all 5 types together please.

[@FishingwithRod]

Actually Mark we have another clip of us IDing three of the five species from that same trip, so I might put that one together and either show it here on Kitty's channel or mine later. We couldn't have all five together because all sockeye salmon have to be released. :)

[@MarktheMartian]

Thanks Rod! I remember another video on your channel where you ID'd 3 of them. You know the more the better because they are always changing colors. It's hard for us newbies to ID them. (I live in TX, never caught a salmon, but hoping to catch some this summer on Alaska trip.)

[@FishingwithRod]

@@MarktheMartian Definitely. I think it doesn’t matter whether you are new to it or have some experience, every fish ID situation is never the same, there isn’t one textbook example that can be applied to all. We are always learning. 🙂

[@Beacon_Offroad]

Wow! I guess because I do not ocean fish, the chrome chum definitely threw for a loop, I had no idea they started like that. The coho knew right away.

[@MichaelKRim]

I might be a bit late to this video, but a good way to identify a silverbrite chum salmon is their mouth shape, a chum salmon may look like it has an underbite, whereas the coho has almost an overbite.

[@dharmabum9119]

Thanks Kitty! That was a bit of fun. I knew them both, though there was less silvering in the tail of the coho than many I've seen. I spent a summer while in college working salmon in Kenai, AK. That was in the 80's. Unloaded countless thousands of fish from the holds of boats and worked the slime line in one of the processing facilities. It wasn't until I worked up to "grader" that I paid that much attention, but in this job, you had to sort fish by species and grade (quality) and push them into their respective bins. There was not much time as fish were constantly coming at you from the gutters, so you had to develop an eye for little differences or you didnt get to keep that job. I guess sorting tens of thousands of salmon left an impression...😁

[@dragonflytoo]

I did not get A correct but I knew the Coho. I too have never seen a chum so Silver. Thanks.

[@KittyKanhoffen]

Yup, I'll be honest... I had to wait for one of the boys to ID it. I'm so used to seeing Chum with the big ol' gnarly teeth and kips, zombie colours and bars, lazily floating down the river, while I'm trying to hook a fresh coho!

[@shaunfogarty5744]

Well I guessed= A Sockeye and B Coho... I determined A was a Sockeye because i had no idea what it was and it sort of looked like a big Kokanee. B is a Coho hen because I have handled a zillion and the scales come off easily, black mouth white gums, looks like a slightly softened and rounded off the edges Chinook.

[@keng3328]

Great video Kitty. It was an easy quiz, (for me) but an excellent lesson for those less familiar. Keep up the great work!! Heading out at the crack of dawn tomorrow to catch low tide at the elephant eye (Sangster Isle).🎣⚓️

[@KittyKanhoffen]

I'm glad you passed with flying colours!!! I hope you ended up catching something down by Sangster Isle. Cheers Ken!

[@joshhamilton4482]

Yeah the chum come in rather fast with alot of head shakes. But like you said they descend down and will hang deep a bit. I have had two rods break because of this. Between the eye and the wrist of the tail and the tail has a bigger fork. They are usually narrow in body compared to a coho. I once caught a coho in early June and I wasn't sure because it was a month earlier than usual. But when you put them side to side I can tell them apart in a second. Now a sockeye would have been a little more challenging!😉

[@KittyKanhoffen]

I can admit that if someone was to lay all 5 clean fish out in front of me, the chum and sockeye would cause the most confusion, just because I never target either. Now if they were all at their spawning stages, I could do it no problem.

[@kennethmorgan6591]

The difference in the shape or appearance of the tail help distinguish a difference straight away but I guessed wrong. Forgot to look at the eye, the spots, or the mouth color. Enjoyed the video though.

[@KittyKanhoffen]

Yup, it is even a great reminder for myself, to NOT rely on only one characteristic when identifying! For example, we have caught steelhead and coho that are completely spotless, so it was important for Daniel and I to know other true traits when IDing.

[@darrylmcleman6456]

Often Chum have a tiger stripe pattern on their body by the time they reach Sooke area.

[@KittyKanhoffen]

That is exactly what I was referring to in the video. Up until this trip, I had only ever seen chum during their spawning stage (when they look like zombies), while trying to target coho in rivers.

[@billnurse5321]

They looked the same to me, thanks for the information I always enjoy learning new things.

[@KittyKanhoffen]

I always preach to my students how important it is to learn something new everyday. Cheers Bill!

[@mikeblair2594]

I thought they were a pink and a silver salmon. Chum salmon are rather rare here in Oregon. We pretty much have Kings and Coho. Not to mention that they closed down the spring salmon season for commercial and sport. I don't mind, but a lot of people do. A lot of people thought that the runs would last forever and now we know that's not true. I don't know how to fix the problem, but something better be done quick before we have to do something drastic or the salmon go extinct in Oregon and Idaho and Nor-Cal.

[@DrGuha]

Great explanation ma'am. 👌 The first one is also called Keta, somewhat better name!

[@haydenthomson6052]

Yes I I knew it was a chum and Coho

[@ken6474]

I would think a quick look at the bottom gum line would make it easy. White row vs black row at the base of the teeth. Not sure why you didn't show the mouth. Looking for back spots and comparing tails on these 2 salmon makes life far too difficult.

[@yongsoochang8722]

Thanks for the lesson Kitty!

[@KittyKanhoffen]

No problem! Thanks for coming to class! 🤣😁

[@bctrails7206]

Did not know there was a noticable difference between Coho and Chinook or how to really tell them apart great vid!

[@KittyKanhoffen]

All of the five Pacific salmon have their own unique characteristics, the more you see each one, they become easier to identify!

[@afishingmagician]

Yes, usually the Koho can fit inside the Chinook!

[@gordmain5370]

I have also never caught a chum that bright - also haven't ocean fished since I was 10. I didn't recognize it without the tiger striping that I would see on the Vedder. I caught a really nice silver one there and it had the start of the striping so I thought it was always present. It is nice to see this with real fish as opposed to looking at the illustrations in a book.

[@gringopines3476]

HAY KITTY, HOW YOU BE??? I'VE MISSED YOU THROUGH THE WINTER MONTHS... THANX FOR THE FISH ID.LESSON, THEY ACTUALLY DO LOOK VERY SIMILAR...WHAT KIND OF SHROOMS COME OUT IN MAY??? IF ANY... NICE TO SEE YOUR SHINING FACE AGAIN... EVERY TIME PAULY PUTS OUT A NEW VIDEO I ASK WHEN HE WILL GET TOGETHER WITH YOU AND ROD TO FISH, FORAGE, OR HIKE BUT HE KINDA BLOWS ME OFF... MABY YOU CAN PREDICT??? WELL TEACH YOU STAY COOL AN KEEP PUSHIN ON... PEACE...

[@KittyKanhoffen]

Heeeyyyyyyyyy Pauly I am here!!!!!!! Long time no talk, and I am glad you found the lesson interesting/helpful. Morel May I call it, they should be popping up here in British Columbia very shortly, especially with the ground temperatures rising. In a couple of the foraging groups I have seen folks finding them in Oregon, and Washington. So our time should be any moment! I was actually hanging out with Paul for a majority of the weekend, but as for filming plans, there is nothing atm. I'll keep harassing him. :P Stay safe out there Paul, summer is right around the corner... This teacher can almost taste it!

[@bushwhackersfly-fishing]

Great video, it can definitely be tricky at times!

[@clintderlago7641]

Thanks for your excellent teaching skills. There can be alot of confusion with new anglers.Ps don't show Dan or your boyfriend lol any secret steelheading streams anymore.lol thanks Clint Derlago

[@KittyKanhoffen]

Hey Clint, no problem! Out of the 5 salmon, Chum and Sockeye always confuse me. Daniel (my husband) and enjoy exploring rivers and creeks together. I think I'd quit fishing if I didn't go with him or a buddy, it's too lonely!

[@afishingmagician]

So what do we get if we got both right? Actually I knew the Chum for sure and was waffling between Koho and Sockeye for the second, till I saw the size of them that is.It was hard to tell size from the picture. Chum out of the ocean are excellent candied/smoking salmon!

[@KittyKanhoffen]

A pat on the back? An A+? A warm and fuzzy feeling, because you'll be able to pass your knowledge onto someone else? :D

[@afishingmagician]

@@KittyKanhoffen Sounds like a teacher's answer if ever I heard one. Actually, I have said that many times myself since I am also a teacher by profession. Well done teacher!

[@afishingmagician]

Don't you just hate how You Tube now highlights your grammatical mistakes?

[@KittyKanhoffen]

@@afishingmagician Haha, thanks for the chuckle... I am trying to reboot my teacher brain after it's been on break this long weekend. What grade/s do you teach? I'm a 4/5 this year, and lovin' it!

[@afishingmagician]

@@KittyKanhoffen I am a university professor. I teach philosophy of religion, western thought, undergrad, grad and post-grad, etc. But you are the real hero, teaching young kids. I would bomb so badly in that context. So thank you for what you do. Especially given COVID19. I get to Zoom most of my courses. BTW, thanks to you I am taking my GKs foraging up near Chilliwack lake next week. Ever since I saw your mushroom vids I am like, "I'm going to get me some wild BC mushrooms."

[@RegisteredMP]

Kitty, which one tastes better? Are you going to do a cooking salmon segment?

[@KittyKanhoffen]

I have only had Chum smoked (it isn't a fishery I really partake in), and Coho every which way. So I guess I'd have to go with B.) Coho.

[@vancityflyguy]

I recognized the chum, not the coho😬. I don’t fish for salmon but it’s great to learn about them. Thank you guys!

[@MOTOMINING]

I'm shocked I guessed Chum right! I'll try to remember that Coho are black and silver.

[@KittyKanhoffen]

Good job Gareth! I hope my spelling was right! 🤫🤪

[@toddletrails1016]

I"m so bad at this. I thought A was the Coho because of the silver in the tail and B was the Chum.

[@DiamondMinerIvins]

I’m now smart about fish! Thanks!

[@KittyKanhoffen]

😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@ricknelson576]

I personally have never caught a chum,like you. Thanks for the IDing. How about the Atlantic salmon that have escaped their enclosure have you every caught one of them? I,m not sure if they are a problem once they have escaped or breeding? Thanks for video.

[@KittyKanhoffen]

No I have never, but Daniel and I would love to travel to the east coast to try for an Atlantic! I hear they are excellent fighters! Thanks for dropping by Rick!

[@Bocker67]

I had a good idea what they were before I even saw them from watching your last video

[@genedavis759]

Forgot about no spots on Chum Still not sure about Silver .

[@kayleydorey6798]

i guessed A sockeye and B coho or chum im a trout fisherman in Nelson BC no salmon other then kokanee round here

[@dezertraider]

CARP/SALMON,GMO RELEASE MANY YEARS AGO..HAPPY EATING

[@gregfuzi1069]

A coho and a king

[@KittyKanhoffen]

Cloooooooseee

[@adamnoga-styron7882]

Coho and chum. I used my eyes to identify it.

[@mountainmatthew]

I'd have to give A to coho. B is a sockeye I believe. You can tell by the way it is.

[@mountainmatthew]

Well, I've never caught a coho or chum. But I have caught many of the other 3. I thought for sure that that coho was a sockey. And considering I was looking for a video to help me identify a sockeye vs coho...

[@robbarber7253]

The pupil of a chum almost takes up the entire eye. Where the tail meets the fin it's very skinny, also no spots. As for Coho the white gums are the most indicative, the spots on the upper part of the body and tail

[@y2kelly66]

A has silver in the tail. Looks like coho

[@robbarber7253]

Silver in the tail doesn't mean coho. The eyeball is mostly pupil, body has no spots and it's tail is skinny, it's a chum

[@bobjohnson7207]

Chum on top Sockeye on bottom.

[@jcoops4911]

Defs not lol, coho on top, chum on bottom

[@thanehuesy8895]

@@jcoops4911 definitely not other way around lol

[@jcoops4911]

In the thumbnail the pics where switched up😂 the video hadn’t premiered yet

[@KittyKanhoffen]

@@jcoops4911 Oops!! Our B!😜

[@wyattmccaulley7525]

I think the second one is a chinook hear Me out I fish for salmon a lot you never showed us the gum line of the second fish and it has white on the tail like a king salmon from what I saw the gunline like Black 2

[@DOW-E]

No spots on the tail. Mouth would be suuuuper black not just the edge.

[@DOW-E]

Spots are not chinook spots

[@robbarber7253]

Chinook has a completely black gums and lips. Chinook has large scales and spots all over the tail

[@TheFishingDoctorsAdventures]

Dog / Silver

[@KittyKanhoffen]

Oh Doc, I think you'll need to see an eye doctor... That's no dog, it's a fish! :P Congrats on answering accurately using the slang terms.

[@TheFishingDoctorsAdventures]

@@KittyKanhoffen What can I say... thinking outside of the box is my kind of thing.

[@allangee9731]

If you can’t identify the type please release them

[@KittyKanhoffen]

ABSOLUTELY!!

[@krzysztofr8598]

chum and coho

[@MrVonDeep]

A is Sockeye

[@FishingwithRod]

No. Check out the second half of this video.

[@KittyKanhoffen]

@@FishingwithRod People are still allowed to share their guesses. Right or wrong.

[@FishingwithRod]

Of course, but we also have to point out the incorrect answers so people can learn.

[@KittyKanhoffen]

@@FishingwithRod Don't worry, this teacher will go through and do the marking.

[@guysview]

Look at those finger nails.

[@KittyKanhoffen]

I did them myself ^_^, and a day later they all chipped. lol

[@mealex303]

your so beautiful

[@KittyKanhoffen]

You're so sweet!