I understand what you mean by zero-fresh... Lichatowich mentioned the Columbia River having "ocean-type" chinook vs "river-type" chinook in his book. The ocean type juveniles migrate out to sea shortly after hatching ("zero" fresh) while the river type spend a year or two (in rare cases more) rearing in freshwater before smolting up.

I understand that hatchery kings raised by WDFW are only held for 4 months before release. Guess that's the hatchery version of ocean-type chinook.

There sure is a wide diversity of juvenile life histories for PNW chinook. Virtually all the Alaska kings spend a full year in the river before heading out to sea.
_________________________
"Let every angler who loves to fish think what it would mean to him to find the fish were gone." (Zane Grey)

"If you don't kill them, they will spawn." (Carcassman)


The Keen Eye MD
Long Live the Kings!