Chinook salmon are the largest Pacific salmon species and, on average, grow to be three feet long and approximately 30 pounds. However, some Chinook salmon can reach more than five feet long and 110 pounds. The salmon are blue-green on the head and back and silver on the sides. The fish's tail, back, and upper fin have irregular black spots and black gums. During the mating season, both male and female salmon develop a reddish tint around …show more content…
Adults lay eggs in fast-moving freshwater streams and rivers. Juvenile salmon spend some time in the freshwater streams before moving to estuaries with a mix of freshwater and saltwater. As the salmon reach adulthood, they move out into the open ocean. When an adult Chinook salmon reaches maturity, which can be anywhere from three to seven years of age, it makes the long migratory journey back to the site of its birth stream to produce young. After so many years, some salmon can be hundreds of miles away. At their birth stream, male and female salmon pair up to breed. The time of breeding depends on the river and the population of salmon, but most breed in the summer and autumn. A female digs a nesting hole where she deposits around 3000-14000 of eggs before the male releases his sperm. After mating, the male and female stand guard over the eggs to protect them from predators. Chinook salmon burn a lot of energy migrating to the nesting grounds, breeding and protecting the eggs. Both parents will die before the eggs even