Sockeye Salmon

Oncorhynchus nerka

Least Concern Both

Max Length

84.0 cm

Max Weight

7.7 kg

Color

At sea, metallic blue-green back …

Depth Range

0-250m

Family

Salmonidae

About

The sockeye salmon is famous for turning bright red during its upstream spawning migration. Its deep-red flesh is the richest in omega-3 fatty acids of all Pacific salmon species, making it the most valuable commercially.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value
Maximum Length	84.0 cm
Maximum Weight	7.7 kg
Depth Range	0-250m

Coloration

At sea, metallic blue-green back with silvery flanks and no spots; spawning males turn brilliant crimson-red over the entire body with a greenish head; females less vivid with blotchy red-orange hues.

Habitat & Distribution

Anadromous; spawns in rivers and streams throughout the Pacific Coast (Alaska to California, Columbia River). Adults spend 2-3 years in the Pacific Ocean at 50-200m depth before upstream migration.

Water Type

Freshwater & Saltwater

Depth Range

0-250m

Geographic Range

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Conservation Status

Least Concern IUCN Red List

Sockeye Salmon is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Edibility & Culinary

Taste

Intense, deep-red flesh with a full, robust salmon flavor and high omega-3 content. Excellent grilled, smoked, or canned; its bold flavor stands up to strong seasonings and wood smoke.

Fishing Information

Game Fish

Yes

Fight Rating

6/5

Recommended Bait

flies, small spoons, beads

Taxonomy

Order	Salmoniformes (Salmon and trout)
Family	Salmonidae (Salmons and trouts)
Species	Oncorhynchus nerka

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name
French	Saumon rouge
Spanish	Salmón rojo

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you eat Sockeye Salmon?

Intense, deep-red flesh with a full, robust salmon flavor and high omega-3 content. Excellent grilled, smoked, or canned; its bold flavor stands up to strong seasonings and wood smoke.

How big does Sockeye Salmon get?

Sockeye Salmon can grow up to 84.0 cm long and weigh 7.7 kg.

Where is Sockeye Salmon found?

North Pacific from California north to Alaska and west to Japan and Kamchatka. Anadromous populations use lake-fed river systems such as the Fraser, Skeena, and Kvichak rivers; landlocked kokanee forms occur in mountain lakes. Anadromous; spawns in rivers and streams throughout the Pacific Coast (Alaska to California, Columbia River). Adults spend 2-3 years in the Pacific Ocean at 50-200m depth before upstream migration.

Is Sockeye Salmon endangered?

The conservation status of Sockeye Salmon is Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.

What family does Sockeye Salmon belong to?

Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) belongs to the family Salmonidae (Salmons and trouts) in the order Salmoniformes (Salmon and trout).