Chinook weight vs. length

[Eden Island]

On a recent trip to Queen Charlotte Strait, I had to release 2 chinook over 80 cm. I measured them for length - in the net, without lifting them out of the water - and later tried to find a chart for length vs. weight [I know the best estimates include girth, but I was trying to minimize fish handling]. The fish were 85 and 95 cm.

From what I've seen in reports, guys are catching 80 cm fish that go 17 lbs. The only chart I found was from the Great Lakes, and says a 95 cm chinook is 20 lbs. I don't think that works around here. Anybody got a better chart, or some good guesses? Thanks for any tips.

 

[Ken J]

Don't remember where I got this from...some averages

25 in​	63.5 cm​	6.49 lb​
26 in​	66 cm​	7.28 lb​
27 in​	64 cm​	8.12 lb​
28 in​	71 cm​	9.02 lb​
29 in​	74 cm​	9.99 lb​
30 in​	76.5 cm​	11.02 lb​
31 in​	79 cm​	12.12 lb​
32 in​	81.5 cm​	13.29 lb​
33 in​	84 cm​	14.53 lb​
34 in​	86.5 cm​	15.84 lb​
35 in​	89 cm​	17.23 lb​
36 in​	91.5 cm​	18.70 lb​

 

[Eden Island]

Don't remember where I got this from...some averages

25 in​	63.5 cm​	6.49 lb​
26 in​	66 cm​	7.28 lb​
27 in​	64 cm​	8.12 lb​
28 in​	71 cm​	9.02 lb​
29 in​	74 cm​	9.99 lb​
30 in​	76.5 cm​	11.02 lb​
31 in​	79 cm​	12.12 lb​
32 in​	81.5 cm​	13.29 lb​
33 in​	84 cm​	14.53 lb​
34 in​	86.5 cm​	15.84 lb​
35 in​	89 cm​	17.23 lb​
36 in​	91.5 cm​	18.70 lb​

Thanks, Ken -- this looks light for the reports I'm seeing [and the fish I caught]. The article with the chart I found did say that different shaped chinook would be different. I know Columbia fish are described as short and deep, and I remember the same thing about Rivers Inlet springs. I wonder if there are more local charts?

 

[Aces]

Girth squared x length divided by 800 gives a true weight

 

[Rob H]

On a recent trip to Queen Charlotte Strait, I had to release 2 chinook over 80 cm. I measured them for length - in the net, without lifting them out of the water - and later tried to find a chart for length vs. weight [I know the best estimates include girth, but I was trying to minimize fish handling]. The fish were 85 and 95 cm.

From what I've seen in reports, guys are catching 80 cm fish that go 17 lbs. The only chart I found was from the Great Lakes, and says a 95 cm chinook is 20 lbs. I don't think that works around here. Anybody got a better chart, or some good guesses? Thanks for any tips.

Monday we caught a 79 cm Chinook that was 17.2 lb on my digital scale. Today we had a 77 cm Chinook that was also 17 lb. and a bit. An 85 cm should be around 20 lb., maybe 22 if super fat. A 95 cm be 25 or a little more.
...Rob

 

[Brett McK]

Girth squared x length divided by 800 gives a true weight

This ^ some say 750 in on the generous side. But girth (at thickest point) x girth x length (fork of tail to nose along lateral line) divided by 800 or 750 is the most accurate, there are exceptions for sure… snake vs footballs and it only works on midrange to tyee plus fish.

 

[N2013]

Aug 5 /2020 I caught a 21 lb.3 oz. Spring that measured 80cm.
with a soft tape from end of nose to fork of tail
It was a dump truck.
I never posted because there are those that would have me
executed for a heinous crime.
They do exist.

21lbs, Let me get my pitchfork & torch! Hell fish can be all sorts of sizes. Look at us humans. We can be shaped like a bean pole or a propane tank. Red or white?

I have a mark on the deck showing 80cm. I don’t lay a tape over it. I feel it is the length, not how far around. Thoughts? It’s probably a minuscule difference.

 

[Newf]

On Monday my 72cm fish weighed 9lbs while my friends 68cm fish weighed almost 12lbs. I felt ripped off.

 

[Eden Island]

21lbs, Let me get my pitchfork & torch! Hell fish can be all sorts of sizes. Look at us humans. We can be shaped like a bean pole or a propane tank. Red or white?

I have a mark on the deck showing 80cm. I don’t lay a tape over it. I feel it is the length, not how far around. Thoughts? It’s probably a minuscule difference.

I agree, length is #1 -- determining whether the fish stays or goes -- which is why I didn't go for girth. If it goes, I want to touch it as little as possible. I have 80, 90 and 133 marked on my harpoon shaft so I can measure in the water.

My curiosity about weight was just that - I'm sure there's a better length-weight chart than one from the Great Lakes!

 

[prodjsaig]

Don't remember where I got this from...some averages

25 in​	63.5 cm​	6.49 lb​
26 in​	66 cm​	7.28 lb​
27 in​	64 cm​	8.12 lb​
28 in​	71 cm​	9.02 lb​
29 in​	74 cm​	9.99 lb​
30 in​	76.5 cm​	11.02 lb​
31 in​	79 cm​	12.12 lb​
32 in​	81.5 cm​	13.29 lb​
33 in​	84 cm​	14.53 lb​
34 in​	86.5 cm​	15.84 lb​
35 in​	89 cm​	17.23 lb​
36 in​	91.5 cm​	18.70 lb​

I have to debunk this graph. A 36" fish can be a 30lbs fish. It depends on the girth and the type. Red or white. Ive had a lot of fish a lot heavier than 13 lbs at 80cm.

 

[Brett83]

Last week I got a 22 lb Chinook 91.5 cm I also got a 19lb 88cm. Last year August 1. I got a 80cm and it was 19 lb. So a variation or 8 cm? Human errors could factor into it, slightly. Just adding some data. I'm going to measure my nootka fish next June. Pretty sure they are shorter and fatter.

 

[Purplemonkeydishwasher]

Had a 74cm on thurs weigh in at 15lb. That chart seems light.

 

[spring fever]

I got a nice fish the other night-not overly fat in my estimation-was 78 cm and weighed exactly 15.8 lbs after sitting on ice for 21/2 hours.

 

[G Gordon]

750 formula is used by most
Hope this chart is helpful