Alaska Pink Salmon

The Alaska pink salmon is nicknamed the "humpback" or "humpy” because of its very pronounced hump which develops on the backs of adult males before spawning. It is the most abundant of the salmon species in Alaska. It is also the easiest to catch as it will bite on just about anything you throw its way. It is the perfect fish for someone new to Alaska fishing or if you are being accompanied by children or an inexperienced spouse or other guest. One very important but strange phenomenon to remember is that pinks run strong only in even numbered years so if you’re interested in catching pink salmon, plan you’re trip accordingly.

The Alaska pink salmon is the smallest of the Pacific salmon found in North America with an average weight of about 4 to 5 pounds and average length of 20-24 inches. An adult fish returning to coastal waters is bright steely blue on top and silvery on the sides with many large black spots on the back and entire tail fin. Its scales are very small and the flesh is pink. As the fish approaches the spawning streams the bright appearance of the male is replaced by brown to black above with a white belly; females become olive green with dusky bars or patches above and a light-colored belly. By the time the male enters the spawning stream, it has developed the characteristic hump and hooked jaws.

Adult pink salmon enter Alaska spawning streams between late June and mid-October. Most pink salmon spawn within a few miles of the coast and spawning within the intertidal zone or the mouth of streams is very common. Shallow riffles are favored spawning areas for the pinks. The female pink salmon carries 1,500 to 2,000 eggs depending on her size. She digs a nest, or redd, with her tail and releases the eggs into the nest. They are immediately fertilized by one or more males and then covered by further digging action of the female. The process is commonly repeated several times until all the female's eggs have been released. After spawning, both males and females soon die, usually within two weeks.

Sometime during early to mid-winter, eggs hatch. The alevins, or young fry, feed on the attached yolk sac material continuing to grow and develop. In late winter or spring, the fry swim up out of the gravel and migrate downstream into salt water. The emergence of fry is heaviest during hours of darkness and usually lasts for several weeks before all the fry have emerged.

Pinks are not a good choice to be frozen and taken home as they do not freeze well but they are a favorite for canning. They are also great fresh off the grill, broiled or smoked.

Nutritional Information: One ½ lb. fillet of Alaska Pink Salmon has 184.4 calories, 31.7 grams of protein, 5.4 grams of fat, 0.8 grams of saturated fat and 106.5 milligrams of sodium.
Note: Nutritional information provided by Ed's Kasilof Seafoods at http://www.kasilofseafoods.com.

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