The term Chinook, for one, can be summarized as a type of SALMON. Chinook SALMON, also known as King SALMON, is the largest species of Pacific SALMON and is native to the North American west coast. It is an anadromous fish, meaning it spends most of its life in the ocean but returns to freshwater streams to spawn. Chinook SALMON are highly sought after for their delicious flavor and are a popular choice for sport fishing.