How to Tell a Male Salmon From a Female
- 1). Look at the snouts of the salmon. Mature males have a distinct hook, called a kype, while females do not. Look at the teeth as well -- males tend to have longer teeth than females.
- 2). Compare the head sizes of the salmon. Males have longer, larger heads than female salmon. Male salmon heads sometimes look disproportionately large for their body.
- 3). Check for a hump along the back of the salmon. Pink salmon males develop this hump, while females do not.
- 4). Look for clues with the adipose fin -- the fin located between the tail and dorsal fin. A mature male salmon's adipose fin is very large, sometimes several times larger than a female of the same age.
- 5). Compare the foreheads of the salmon. Female salmon have rounded foreheads, while males have concave sloping foreheads.
- 6). Check for signs of color. Depending on the variety, male salmon will develop bright red spots or turn bright bronze or copper. Female salmon keep a monochromatic body color into maturity.