What do they mean when they call something a "black salmon"?

Question

OK...a little clarity....I went fishing in New Brunswick...and caught something the person said...was a black salmon. 12 lbs. I'm just not entirely clear about the name.

Answer 1

like the first person said,a salmon in the spring

Answer 2

Atlantic Salmon caught in spring of year that has spent the fall/winter in the river waiting to return to the sea again in April.  Often termed "black"because they are darker in color than the chrome-like appearance they have when they enter the river the previous summer/fall.  Another term is "kelt".