masu salmon
Oncorhynchus masou
Northwest Pacific salmon, exotic to Chile, where it was introduced. It is farmed and commercially fished, and also appears in sport fishing.
Also called: salmão-masu, salmón japonés, masu salmon
- maximum
- 79 cm
- record/max.
- 10.0 kg
- depth
- 0–200 m
who is the masu salmon
A fish of the family Salmonidae, with a spindle-shaped body, reaching 79 cm and 10 kg. It is exotic to Chile, where it was introduced; its native range is the northwest Pacific, Japan and nearby waters. In its river form, it stays in the headwaters and defends a territory, feeding on insects, small crustaceans and fish. In its sea-going form, it forms schools and eats small fish and pelagic crustaceans. It spawns in nests with no parental guarding, with the eggs buried. The flesh is sold fresh and frozen, and the species is farmed and commercially fished.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the masu salmon; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- The river-dwelling form holds a territory in the headwaters.
identification
Elongated, spindle-shaped body, with an adipose fin, like other Pacific salmon. It has two life forms: one stays in the river headwaters, where it holds a territory, and the other goes down in schools, spends time in brackish water and enters the sea. It is native to the northwest Pacific, Japan and nearby waters. In Chile it is exotic, as is chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta).
Loading the next 7 days…
Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
Exotic to Chile, where it was introduced. Native to the northwest Pacific, Japan and nearby waters.
Habitat: River headwaters and, in the migratory form, coastal sea, 0 to 200 m.
rules for the masu salmon
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
Harmless to people. It is a farmed and sport-fishing species, so release it carefully and quickly, without leaving it out of the water.
in the kitchen
Sold fresh and frozen, and usually grilled or baked.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00955, b = 3.03; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Oncorhynchus masou (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Oncorhynchus masouNames by country and language.
