King salmon grow biggest in the Kenai River. It is recognized by black spots on its back, dorsal fin and both lobes of the caudal fin. King's teeth emerge from a black gum-line.
Most Kings return to spawn in the fourth or fifth year.
Their life span vary from 2 to 8 years. King salmon eat mostly herring, sandlance, squids and few rockfish. The Alaska record is 16 lbs for 31 inches. They are recognized by closely spaced gill rakers, by fine black speckling on the back and no spot on the caudal fin. The red spend 2 to 5 years in the ocean before returning to their home streams to spawn.