Alaska Red Salmon

The Alaska red salmon, or sockeye salmon, bring about a phenomenon called combat fishing where anglers align themselves, sometimes no more than five feet apart, for as far as the eye can see. It’s a most amazing site. Probably the best known sport fishery with the greatest participation occurs during the return of the “reds” to the Russian River on the Kenai Peninsula. Other popular areas include the Kasilof River on the Kenai Peninsula as well as the various river systems within Bristol Bay.

The Alaska red salmon is quickly becoming the most popular recreational fishery in Alaska. This is because word has gotten out about the quality of the sockeye flesh. It is probably the most sought after of all the salmon species. This is the most versatile Alaska salmon as it is the best for freezing, canning, smoking, grilling, frying. You name it…

The Alaska red salmon can be distinguished from kings, silvers, and pink salmon by the lack of large, black spots. They are a green/blue on the back and top of the head, silver on the sides, and white or silvery on the belly. Some fine black speckling may occur on the back, but large spots are absent. Breeding males develop a humped back and elongated, hooked jaws filled with sharp teeth. Both sexes turn brilliant to dark red on the back and sides, pale to olive-green on the head and upper jaw and tail, and white on the lower jaw.

The Alaska red salmon also live in the sea and enter freshwater systems to spawn. After hatching, juvenile sockeye salmon may spend up to four years in fresh water before migrating to sea as silvery smolt. Maturing sockeye salmon return to their freshwater birth stream from the ocean during the summer months, and most populations show little variation in their arrival time on the spawning grounds from year to year. While returning adults usually weigh from 6 to 10 pounds, weights in excess of 15 pounds have been reported. Sockeye salmon runs are typically seen in south central Alaska starting in early June and ending around mid August.

Freshwater systems with lakes produce the greatest number of sockeye salmon. A female usually deposits about five batches of eggs in a redd. Depending upon her size, a female produces from 2,000 to 4,500 eggs. Like all Alaska salmon, sockeye salmon die within a few weeks after spawning.

Nutritional Information: One ½ lb. fillet of Alaska Sockeye Salmon has 332.6 calories, 42.1 grams of protein, 16.9 grams of fat, 2.9 grams of saturated fat and 93 milligrams of sodium. Note: Nutritional information provided by Ed's Kasilof Seafoods at http://www.kasilofseafoods.com.

On to Affordable Alaska Fishing Trips Article #5...Alaska Silver Salmon