Sockeye Salmon
Sockeye Salmon:
Oncorhynchus nerka
AKA: Red Salmon, Reds, Blueback Salmon
Kokanee Salmon (when landlocked)
Image courtesy of the US Fish and Wildlife
Service
Identification:
Ocean: Long torpedo shape with a blunt snout. They have a bright silver,
uniform, and shiny color with a green to green blue back.
Spawning: In Fresh water
Alaskan
Sockeye Salmon take on darker shades of red with a green head. Snout and
teeth both become more curved. A smaller arch forms in the back.
Size:
Adult Sockeye Salmon typically weigh from 6-8 pounds, with some
exceptional fish reaching 10-14 pounds. Alaska State Record for Sockeye
Salmon is 16 pounds.
Food Value:
Sockeye Salmon are excellent table fair, and are one of the most
targeted food fish in Alaska. They have BRIGHT red flesh and a very high
fat and oil content. They are very tasty when just simply grilled with
some salt and pepper. They can be prepared grilled, BBQ, smoked, baked,
pan seared, and broiled.
Fun Factor:
Sockeye Salmon are smaller than most other types of Salmon, and they are
not known as great fighters. Fishermen targeting Sockeye are typically
fishing for food more than for fun, but fun can be had with light
tackle. Fishing for Sockeye Salmon is most often done using nets because
they are not very aggressive, but dip netting for Sockeye Salmon is only
permitted for Alaska residents. Some luck can be had fishing for Sockeye
on the fly, or with small spinners or spoons which can irritate the fish
into a strike.
Silverbrite Salmon
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Pink Salmon
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