Photo: Timothy Knepp of the Fish and Wildlife Service. / Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
Oncorhynchus nerka
Sockeye Salmon
Saltwater
About this species
A deep-red-fleshed Pacific salmon that turns brilliant crimson with a green head at spawning. It is largely a plankton feeder, making it a challenging target that must be enticed rather than fed. Sparse flies drifted right into migrating schools are the trick.
Season
123456789101112
Depth
5 – 40 m
Habitat Spots
RiverLakeEstuary
Fishing Methods
FlyLureTrolling
Bait & Rig
Sparse streamer flies and small red or pink lures drifted through migrating river schools; sockeye rarely feed, so provocation is key.
Edibility & Taste
Deep-red, richly flavored flesh with high oil content; the most intensely flavored Pacific salmon, prized for canning, smoking, and sashimi.
Similar Species
No black spots on the body or tail in ocean phase, smaller size, and more numerous gill rakers distinguish sockeye from other Pacific salmon.
Record Weight
6.9 kg