Oncorhynchus gorbuscha
Pink salmon are the smallest but most abundant Pacific salmon — they return in staggering numbers every two years (odd years in BC). On a pink year, the action can be non-stop, making them perfect for...
📷 Photo: Wikimedia Commons / NOAA
Pink salmon are the smallest but most abundant Pacific salmon — they return in staggering numbers every two years (odd years in BC). On a pink year, the action can be non-stop, making them perfect for beginners and families. They're also an important food source for bears, eagles, and the ecosystem.
Small, sleek silver body in the ocean. Large oval spots on the back and both lobes of the tail. Tiny scales. Males develop a large hump on their back during spawning (hence 'humpback salmon') and elongated jaws. Spawning fish turn dark with a pale belly.
Pink salmon are anadromous in BC, returning to coastal rivers and streams in massive numbers every odd year (2025, 2027...). They're the most abundant Pacific salmon but have the shortest lifespan — exactly two years. They spawn in the lower reaches of rivers and don't travel as far upstream as other salmon.
Pink Salmon can be found across these provinces and territories:
Regulations vary by province and zone — always check the local rules before fishing. Browse detailed guides: British Columbia.
Matching your bait to the conditions is one of the biggest factors in catching Pink Salmon. Here's what works when:
| Weather / Condition | Best Bait & Lures | Technique |
|---|---|---|
| 🌊 River (fresh run) | Small pink jigs, small spinners (pink), small spoons, pink flies | Pinks are aggressive and easy — cast small pink lures into schools and retrieve steadily. |
| 🚤 Ocean (before river entry) | Small pink spoons, small hoochies behind flashers | Troll near river mouths in salt water. Pink salmon school densely near shore before moving upriver. |
| 🪰 Fly fishing | Pink streamers, pink clouser minnows, small pink popper wogs | Pinks love pink flies. A pink clouser fished on a sinking line is a classic pink salmon setup. |
| ☁️ Overcast | Pink/chartreuse combinations, pink spinners | Pinks feed actively in low light — near-constant action on pink gear. |
| 🌧️ After rain | Large pink jigs, roe under a float | Rain triggers waves of fresh pinks into rivers. Fish the lower stretches as schools push in. |
Pink salmon return only on odd years (2025, 2027, 2029...) in southern BC. Runs peak August–September. Even years have essentially no pink salmon in southern BC (but northern BC and the Great Lakes may have different patterns).
Get a 7-day Pink Salmon bite forecast, offline regulations for every province, and AI-powered fishing advice — all in one app. Free for the 2026 season.