Fishing highlights – Think Pink Salmon – Chapter 2

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Chapter 2 – August 20, 2025

Pink salmon identification tips for anglers

Know your catch!

By Lynn Munson/WDFW

Please note: Pink salmon non-retention rule in effect for anglers planning to fish in Marine Area 8–2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner).

Every odd-numbered year, Washington’s waters come alive with pink salmon—also known as “humpies.” A pink salmon forecast of nearly 7.8 million — up 70% from the 10-year cycle average — is expected to flood into the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound. If the forecast becomes a reality, then the pink salmon return could be the third largest on record, up from a 2023 forecast of 3.95 million and an actual return of 7.22 million. It’s a prime opportunity for anglers!

Chinook and other salmon species share the same space, so proper identification is key to staying compliant.

Happy family with their catch of pink salmon (Aimee Edmonds)

Know a pink versus Chinook

Pink salmon are abundant and often open for harvest, while Chinook salmon are subject to stricter regulations. Misidentifying a Chinook as a pink could lead to unintentional violations, especially in marine areas with Chinook restrictions.

It is very important for anglers to be able to distinguish the difference between a pink and a young Chinook salmon especially when fishing in marine areas.

Pink Salmon

A pink salmon has very large black spots on the caudal fin and back and heavy oval shaped black splotches on the upper and lower lobes of the tail. They also have a white mouth — few if any teeth — with a black gum line and tongue. Their scales are very small with no silver pigment on the tail.

Their nickname “humpies” or “humpy” comes from the dramatic hump that forms on the back of male pink salmon as they return to rivers and approach spawning time. Males also develop a hooked upper jaw during spawning season.

Pink salmon (WDFW)

Chinook Salmon

In the marine environment, a Chinook has large black spots on back, dorsal fin, and both the upper and lower lobes of the tail. They have a dark mouth and black gum line and large prominent teeth, and a silver pigment on the tail.

Chinook salmon (WDFW)

You can find a salmon species identification guide on the pages 104 and 105 in the 2025–26 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.

This salmon identification PDF is also a handy resource.

Feature	Pink Salmon (“Humpy”)	Chinook Salmon (“King”)
Mouth Color	White	Dark
Gum Line	Black	Black
Teeth	Small, few	Large, prominent
Tail	No silver pigment	Silver pigment present
Body Shape	Males develop a pronounced hump	Sleek, torpedo-shaped
Size	3–5 lbs (avg)	10–30+ lbs (avg)

Rules and regulations may change at any time. Before heading out, make sure you have the appropriate recreational fishing license and be sure to take the following steps:

Download and read the annual fishing pamphlet, which details rules and regulations statewide.
Check for any emergency rule changes affecting the species or location you’re fishing.
Download the Fish Washington^® mobile app, which provides up-to-date fishing regulations on your mobile device.

Think Pink Salmon Home

Time to think pink salmon!

Pink fishing tactics

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Taking care of your catch

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