Mystery Fish Contest #12

Answer: Pink Salmon

The mystery fish species in our twelfth mystery fish species contest is a pink salmon, or Oncorhynchus gorbuscha.

Although the typical large spots along a pink salmon's back are not very visible on this particular fish. The key characteristics that makes this fish stands out as a pink salmon are those oval spots across its tail. This is an adult female, which does not have the distinct hump on its back which adult male pink salmon have.

This particular fish was caught near the mouth of the Fraser River, therefore it still retained its silver body and most of its scales. Pink salmon are the favourites among young and old anglers, experienced and novice anglers. The Fraser River is expecting to see millions of pink salmon returning once again this September. It is an excellent fishery for families to participate in. Be sure to check our fishing reports regularly as the season approaches so you know when to head out and catch a beautiful salmon such as this.

Out of 272 entries, 210 participants (77%) were able to identify it correctly. The most common incorrect answer was coho salmon (23 entries), followed by sockeye salmon (17 entries), steelhead (8 entries), chinook salmon (7 entries) and chum salmon (3 entries).

Congratulations to the following participants who will receive a pair of tickets to this year's BC Boat & Sportsmen's Show at Tradex in Abbotsford on March 1st to 3rd! For more information about the show, please visit www.bcboatandsportsmenshow.ca.