Chinook Salmon or King Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) is found in various rivers that drain into both the Pacific and Arctic Oceans from Alaska south into California. This fish has been introduced into the Great Lakes of North America. It is also found in the eastern portion of northern Asia. It is not generally common and can be over 50 inches in length. Although most rod and reel catches run from the typical 10 pounds to perhaps 40 pounds, the record is over 83 pounds. A specimen over 125 pounds was netted.

The Chinook, as reported by Migdalksi, frequently travels great distances to spawn. Migdalksi notes that Chinooks travel up the Yukon River for 2,400 miles to Lake Teslin in Canada which is 2,200 feet above sea level.

Oncorhynchus genus (salmon) contains fish that are commonly called both trout and salmon. This genus is represented by about ten species in North America. Many of the salmon species in this genus live in salt water and breed in fresh water. The trout in this genus generally are limited to fresh water. The Salmo, Salvelinus, and Oncorhynchus genera are closely related. Many of the species in these genera are easily recognizable by their color patterns.

Salmon Family, Salmonidae, is known for the trout and the salmon groups, both of which are considered good sport and table fish. Recently several hybrids have been introduced into the Great Lakes, especially Lake Michigan, with great success as a sport and commercial fish. Salmon and trout are primitive fish and lack bony spines in their fins.

Salmon Group, Order Salmoniformes, is found worldwide in oceans. It is also found in freshwater in many places in North America. A great number of the large game and sport fish are found in this order.

Bony fish, Class Teleostomi, are a class of chordates that include the majority of fish-like animals found on earth. They are characterized by a bony jaw and a bony skeleton. They are found in both fresh and marine waters.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

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