Chinook salmon are the largest of the Pacific salmon species, known for their robust size and silvery bodies. They inhabit the North Pacific Ocean and freshwater rivers for spawning. Notable for their long migrations and ability to leap waterfalls, they are crucial to both marine and freshwater ecosystems.

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, commonly known as the Chinook salmon, is native to the North Pacific Ocean and its connected river systems. This includes the coastal waters of both North America and Asia. In North America, its range extends from the central California coast to the Bering Strait in Alaska. In Asia, it is found in regions such as Russia, particularly in the Kamchatka Peninsula.

Chinook salmon thrive in cold, oxygen-rich waters. They inhabit both freshwater and saltwater environments during their life cycle. Freshwater habitats include rivers and streams where they spawn and hatch, typically in areas with gravel beds and moderate to fast-flowing currents. In saltwater, they inhabit the open ocean, often in deeper and cooler waters.

As an anadromous species, Chinook salmon play a crucial role in both freshwater and marine ecosystems. They serve as prey for a variety of predators, including bears, eagles, and humans. Their migration from ocean to freshwater for spawning contributes significant nutrients to river ecosystems, supporting a diverse range of aquatic and terrestrial life. The species exhibits adaptations such as the ability to transition between freshwater and saltwater environments, and they have diverse life history strategies, including variations in the timing of their migrations and spawning.