Where Can You Find the Biggest Salmon in America?
In truth, the question itself is a bit of a misnomer, since there are several interpretations as to what both “biggest” and “America” mean. For example, “biggest” could refer to the largest salmon ever caught, or the largest average salmon consistently fished from a particular body of water, or even refer to only large salmon found in the most recent few years. “America,” on the other hand, could refer to the continent of North America, the United States of America, or even just the more-accessible lower 48.
Where, then, do large salmon fit into all of this? As with any question with multiple interpretations, there are a few answers.
Kenai River, Alaska
A generally accepted fact among anglers has always been that the Kenai River in Alaska is the ultimate destination for giant Chinook or king salmon. The Kenai did, in fact, produce the current world record Chinook, caught by Les Anderson in 1985 and weighing an astounding 94 pounds, 7 ounces. Additionally, most top ten lists of the largest Chinook ever caught are dotted with 70-plus pound monsters from the Kenai, including Anderson’s own wife, Clara, who caught an 85 pound Chinook herself.
However, in the past several years, the Chinook runs have dried up, leaving anglers fearful the giant Chinook days on the Kenai are over. Fishing charters around the Kenai were forced to turn to other varieties of fish – which are, fortunately, plentiful – to supplement their livelihoods, leaving anglers to consider staying in the lower 48 to pursue salmon fishing. Comebacks in 2017 and 2018 haven’t distracted from the appeal of much closer fishing in the Pacific Northwest.
Oregon and Washington
Oregon and Washington boast both the Tillamook Bay and the Columbia River, respectively, known hotspots for large Chinook fishing. A record 126 pound fish has been reported on the Columbia and fish frequently fall into the 40 to 50 pound range with some even larger fish caught on the Tillamook. While the region doesn’t hit the record books as often as Alaska, the much closer proximity of Oregon and Washington provide incentive.
Still, the region isn’t without its struggles. The Columbia River in particular had a poor 2015 season, which resulted in a poor fall of 2018 and even a closure of the river in September of that year. Reports are that the overall increase in numbers the past several years will continue, however.
So, where can you find the biggest salmon in America? Currently, the trip up to Alaska to fish the Kenai River is a one of a lifetime. For those anglers wanting to stay closer to home, large fish can be found on the Columbia River, Washington, or the Tillamook Bay in Oregon. Reports continue to filter in of near-world-record salmon in British Columbia and beyond, and if anglers know one thing, it’s that it’s a wide world out there.