Chinook salmon across Minnesota
Minnesota rules, records and lakes for Chinook salmon.
- 5 combined total; milimit
- 33 lb 4 ozrecord
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Minnesota Chinook salmon at a glance
Chinook salmon belongs to the trout and salmon family on the DNR list. For lake superior and tributaries below posted boundaries, the limit reads 5 combined total; minimum size 10″ with a season of Continuous.
The state record is 33 lb 4 oz, taken from Poplar River in 1989.
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“Three species of Pacific salmon have been introduced to Lake Superior in the past few decades and now reproduce naturally in the lake. All feed in the big lake until they reach sexual maturity. In the fall, all three species swim up rivers to spawn and die, completing their life cycle. The largest salmon is the Chinook Salmon, also called King salmon, which grows to over 10 pounds in Lake Superior, though most catches are around 3 to 4 pounds. Coho Salmon, also called silver salmon, are smaller, averaging about 1.5 to 3 pounds. The smallest at just over a pound is the Pink Salmon, also called humpy (for the large hump on the back that males develop during breeding season).”
“Lake trout and salmon spawn in fall. Steelhead spawn in spring.”
“Salmon have a short life compared to lake trout. Salmon typically live for just three to five years whereas Lake trout can live as long as 40 years.”
- Chinook salmon: inside mouth is dark; spots throughout tail (large spots, especially in the silver area at the base of the tail); 15-17 rays in anal fin; anal fin tip falls short of middle.identification
- Coho Salmon, also called silver salmon, are smaller, averaging about 1.5 to 3 pounds.identification
- Three species of Pacific salmon have been introduced to Lake Superior in the past few decades and now reproduce naturally in the lake.habitat
- All feed in the big lake until they reach sexual maturity.habitat
- king salmonalso called
Quoted from the DNR fish page and the 2026 regulations identification guide, checked October 2026.
Rules for keeping Chinook salmon
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Superior and tributaries below posted boundaries | 5 combined total; minimum size 10" | Continuous |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
Heaviest Chinook salmon on record
| Category | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| certified weight | 33 lb 4 oz | Poplar River | Cook | 1989 |
| certified weight | 33 lb 4 oz | Lake Superior | St. Louis | 1989 |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out.
Guides naming Chinook salmon
- Action Fishing ChartersLake Superior charter, Lake Superior, Duluth, (218) 355-8540
- Angler Management ChartersLake Superior charter, Lake Superior, Duluth, (218) 390-7933
- Grand Marais ChartersLake Superior charter, Lake Superior, Grand Marais, (218) 370-5800
- Reel SwedeLake Superior charter, Lake Superior, (218) 387-4159
- Superior Pursuits Charter FishingLake Superior charter, Lake Superior, Duluth, (906) 360-7513
- Tofte ChartersLake Superior charter, Lake Superior, Schroeder, (218) 663-9932
Species grouped with Chinook salmon
- Lake trouttrout and salmon family
- Brook trouttrout and salmon family
- Brown trouttrout and salmon family
- Rainbow trouttrout and salmon family
- Steelheadtrout and salmon family
- Splaketrout and salmon family
- Tiger trouttrout and salmon family
- Coho salmontrout and salmon family
- Pink salmontrout and salmon family
- Atlantic salmontrout and salmon family
- Kokanee salmontrout and salmon family
- Lake whitefishtrout and salmon family
Shorelines around Chinook salmon
Photo: Jonathan Miske, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Wikideas1, CC0
Photo: William Wesen ( Appraiser at English Wikipedia ), Public domain
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified or unknown, Public domain
Answers before you chase Chinook salmon
Which Minnesota rules govern keeping Chinook salmon?
5 combined total; minimum size 10" (Lake Superior and tributaries below posted boundaries), season Continuous.
What is the biggest Chinook salmon caught in Minnesota?
33 lb 4 oz from Poplar River (1989).
Which Minnesota waters hold Chinook salmon?
The DNR profile on this page covers it.
Does the DNR stock Chinook salmon?
The stocking pages here do not list it.
Which features mark Chinook salmon?
Chinook salmon: inside mouth is dark; spots throughout tail (large spots, especially in the silver area at the base of the tail); 15-17 rays in anal fin; anal fin tip falls short of middle.
Does Minnesota close the season on Chinook salmon?
Continuous
Which license do Chinook salmon anglers buy in Minnesota?
Designated trout water takes a Minnesota angling license ($25 resident, $51 nonresident) and the $10 trout and salmon stamp validation for ages 18 to 64.
Can I hire a trip for Chinook salmon?
6 guides list it, including Action Fishing Charters.
Fish for Chinook salmon this season
Every listed water opens its own Minnesota page.