Fish
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Photo: Unknown author, Public domain
Common Names
Common Salmon / King Salmon
Habitat
Open ocean and large river systems of the Pacific Northwest
First Observed
1805-10-16
Observed At
Confluence of Snake and Columbia Rivers, near present-day Pasco, Washington
Lewis and Clark first encountered massive runs of chinook salmon near the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers in mid-October 1805. Clark was confused by the enormous numbers of dead salmon lining the riverbanks, writing “The Cause of the emence numbers of dead Salmon I can’t account for” — he was witnessing the post-spawning die-off. Salmon were a critical food source traded from Native peoples throughout the Columbia Basin. The chinook is the largest Pacific salmon species.
Journal Excerpt
Clark, October 16, 1805: "Took our Canoes and all baggage over by land to the other Side of the rapid, and down to the river… I observe great numbers of dead Salmon on the Shores and floating in the water. The Cause of the emence numbers of dead Salmon I can't account for."
Journal References
15 journal entries mention Chinook Salmon
Aug
13
1805
Lewis: August 13, 1805
...of the flesh of an
antelope boiled, and a peice of a fresh salmon roasted; both which I eat
with a very good relish. this was the first salmon I had seen and
perfe...
Aug
14
1805
Lewis: August 14, 1805
...om S. E. to N. W. which was navigable but afforded
neither Salmon nor timber. that beyond this plain thee or four days march
his relations lived in a country tolera...
Aug
19
1805
Lewis: August 19, 1805
...in fishing they employ wairs,
gigs, and fishing hooks. the salmon is the principal object of their
pursuit. they snair wolves and foxes. I was anxious to learn whet...
Aug
20
1805
Lewis: August 20, 1805
...e encampment for himself and party. here they
gave him one salmon and some cakes of dryed berries. he now repeated to
them what had been said to them in council at ...
Aug
21
1805
Lewis: August 21, 1805
...by these
people, who gave himself and party as much boiled salmon as they could
eat; they also gave him several dryed salmon and a considerable quantity
of dryed c...
Aug
23
1805
Lewis: August 23, 1805
... provision
they had brought with them, as well as the five salmon they had procured
yesterday were consumed last evening; there was of tours no inducement for
his ...
Aug
31
1805
Lemhi Valley, preparing to cross Bitterroots — Joseph Whitehouse: August 31, 1805
...ssed Several Indian lodges where we bought a nomber
of fine Salmon. the natives have wires [weirs] fixed across the
River in which they catch more or less evverry nig...
Sep
1
1805
North Fork Salmon River, impassable route — Patrick Gass: September 1, 1805
...of white pine. Game is scarce; anda
small quantity of dried salmon, which we got from the natives
is almost our whole stock of provisions. A son of our guide
joined u...
Sep
1
1805
North Fork Salmon River, impassable route — John Ordway: September 1, 1805
...h bank of Lemhi River, about eight miles above the forks of
Salmon River. Coues.
2 He "fled with great Speed to Some lodges below & informed them that
the Enemies wer...
Sep
1
1805
North Fork Salmon River, impassable route — Joseph Whitehouse: September 1, 1805
a fine morning we Set out as usal and proceeded on over verry high mountains which was verry bad for our horses to climb up...
Sep
2
1805
North Fork Salmon River, impassable route — John Ordway: September 2, 1805
... called Fish Creek, but which is now known as North Fork of Salmon
River. The camp was about ten miles above the mouth of Fish Creek.
280 WISCONSIN HISTORICAL COLLECT...
Sep
2
1805
North Fork Salmon River, impassable route — Patrick Gass: September 2, 1805
... white pine. Game is scarce ; and a
small quantity of dried salmon, which we got from the natives
is almost our whole stock of provisions. A son of our guide
joined u...
Sep
2
1805
North Fork Salmon River, impassable route — Joseph Whitehouse: September 2, 1805
a wet cloudy morning. we loaded our horses and Set out about 7 oClock and proceed* on. the road bad Some places thick bushes and...
Sep
3
1805
North Fork Salmon River, impassable route — John Ordway: September 3, 1805
up the branch a Short distance further up the branch then took the mountain and went up and down rough rockey mountains all day. Some...
Sep
3
1805
North Fork Salmon River, impassable route — Patrick Gass: September 3, 1805
...ft behind last night; and we breakfasted on
the last of our salmon and waited their return. Two hunters
were sent on ahead, and on the return of the two men, who
had ...
