Chum Salmon
Oncorhynchus keta
Also known as Salmon, Chum, Keta, Dog salmon, Calico salmon, Chub
Culinary Profile
Chum salmon has a lower oil content than other wild salmon, so it has a relatively mild flavor.
Firm and meaty.
Chum salmon is low in sodium and a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, niacin, vitamin B12, and selenium.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Chum salmon is one of the largest species of Pacific salmon, second only to Chinook salmon in size. When in the ocean, chum salmon are metallic greenish-blue along the back with black speckles, similar to both sockeye and coho salmon. As they enter fresh water, their appearance changes dramatically. Both sexes develop a tiger stripe pattern of bold red and black stripes.
Biology
Chum salmon are anadromous—they hatch in fresh water streams and rivers then migrate out to the saltwater environment of the ocean to feed and grow. Chum salmon do not reside in fresh water for an extended period (unlike coho, Chinook, and sockeye salmon). They can grow up to 3.6 feet and 30 to 35 pounds, but their average weight is 8 to 15 pounds.
Where They Live
Range Chum salmon are the most widely distributed of all the Pacific salmon. They are found throughout the North Pacific Ocean and range from the Arctic coast of Canada and throughout the northern coastal regions of North America and Asia. In the United States, chum salmon are found throughout Alaska and as far south as Yaquina Bay, Oregon, on the West Coast.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Fresh from late summer to spring and frozen and canned year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Alaska and Washington and occasionally Oregon.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In 2023, commercial landings of chum salmon totaled 121 million pounds and were valued at $67 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Most of the chum harvest comes from Alaska (99%). They are also harvested in Washington. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Purse seines and gillnets are used to catch chum salmon. Purse seiners catch salmon by encircling them with a long net and drawing the bottom closed to capture the fish. Gillnetters catch salmon by setting curtain-like nets perpendicular to the salmon’s trajectory as they migrate along the coast toward fresh water. Chum salmon are also caught in commercial troll fisheries for Chinook and coho salmon.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 111 Species
Where Chum Salmon ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus | 283 mg | 4 / 111 | 96% |
| Protein | 20.14 g | 28 / 111 | 75% |
| Vitamin B12 | 3 µg | 30 / 106 | 72% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 233 mg | 32 / 104 | 69% |
| Selenium | 36.5 µg | 32 / 106 | 70% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 394 mg | 36 / 104 | 65% |
| Zinc | 0.47 mg | 60 / 111 | 46% |
| Iron | 0.55 mg | 61 / 111 | 45% |
Other Species in Genus Oncorhynchus
4 close biological relatives of Chum Salmon profiled in this catalogue — typically sharing similar anatomy, depth range, and fishery management.
| Species | Scientific name | Protein (g/100 g) | Omega-3 DHA (mg) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook Salmon | Oncorhynchus tshawytscha | 19.93 | 944 | Smart Choice |
| Coho Salmon | Oncorhynchus kisutch | 21.62 | 656 | Smart Choice |
| Pink Salmon | Oncorhynchus gorbuscha | 20.5 | 333 | Smart Choice |
| Sockeye Salmon | Oncorhynchus nerka | 22.25 | 471 | Smart Choice |
Other Alaska Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Chum Salmon.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Bocaccio
Sebastes paucispinis
Delicate, nutty, sweet flavor.
Canary Rockfish
Sebastes pinniger
Delicate, nutty, sweet flavor.
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Chinook salmon has a pronounced buttery, rich taste. They are the most highly prized salmon in the culinary world.
Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch
Smaller coho have a delicate flavor. Fillets from larger fish have a mild taste.
Dover Sole
Microstomus pacificus
Mild and sweet.
English Sole
Parophrys vetulus
Mild taste with a slight shellfish flavor.
Flathead Sole
Hippoglossoides elassodon
Mild and delicate flavor.
Geoduck
Panopea generosa
The neck is tough and crunchy, while the belly meat is tender and sweet.
Pacific Cod
Gadus macrocephalus
Pacific cod is a mild-tasting fish.
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of Chum Salmon, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Pollock has mild-tasting flesh and is similar to other white fish like cod or haddock.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in the water column does Chum Salmon live?
Range Chum salmon are the most widely distributed of all the Pacific salmon. They are found throughout the North Pacific Ocean and range from the Arctic coast of Canada and throughout the northern coastal regions of North America and Asia. In the United States, chum salmon are found throughout Alaska and as far south as Yaquina Bay, Oregon, on the West Coast.
How does Chum Salmon reproduce?
Chum salmon are anadromous—they hatch in fresh water streams and rivers then migrate out to the saltwater environment of the ocean to feed and grow. Chum salmon do not reside in fresh water for an extended period (unlike coho, Chinook, and sockeye salmon). They can grow up to 3.6 feet and 30 to 35 pounds, but their average weight is 8 to 15 pounds.
Is Chum Salmon a good source of omega-3 fatty acids?
Per 100 g raw, Chum Salmon supplies 233 mg of EPA and 394 mg of DHA — the two long-chain omega-3s most cited in cardiovascular research.
Is Chum Salmon a good source of vitamin B12?
Yes — Chum Salmon provides 3 µg of vitamin B12 per 100 g raw, which is 125% of the 2.4 µg daily value.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught chum salmon is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
Alaska: As of 2025, there were hundreds of stocks of chum salmon in Alaska. Some stocks are in decline, while others are steady or increasing. None are listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) . The Alaska Coho Salmon Assemblage consists of coho salmon, sockeye salmon, pink salmon, and chum salmon throughout southeast Alaska.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Fishery Management Council manage chum salmon on the West Coast. Managed under the Pacific Coast Salmon Plan : All Pacific salmon species fall under the jurisdiction of this plan, although it currently only provides fishery management objectives for Chinook, coho, pink, and any salmon species listed under the Endangered Species Act .
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 19 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.