Chinook salmon is the official state fish of Alaska. It's no wonder since it is considered one of the most important sport fish. Catching one is the number one goal of many fishermen who come to Alaska during the summer months.
What Makes Chinook Salmon So Exciting
In fact, many people travel hundreds if not thousands of miles each year to come to Alaska for some of the greatest Chinook fishing around. This particular salmon is the largest species in the Pacific Salmon family, with an average weight of 20-25 pounds. That's not to say they can't be bigger.
Alaska even holds the record for largest sport-caught Chinook salmon. It was in the state's very own Kenai river that a 97-pound Chinook was taken back in 1986! Needless to say, the record has acted as inspiration and also motivation for anglers world-wide to beat it.
Major populations of the fish can be found in various Alaskan rivers including the Yukon, Nushagak, Copper, Alsek, Taku, and Stikine rivers. Important runs also occur in many smaller streams. Being that the fish are so prized and abundant, finding an Alaskan fishing lodge that caters to such fishing is very easy.
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