Best Time To Watch Alaska Salmon Is Now

Alaska is feted for its wild salmon. The flavour of Alaskan salmon depends upon fat content and the environment in which it matured. Alaska’s pure waters and the variety of natural food give Alaska salmon unique flavor.

Although salmon are caught in Alaska’s spotless waters year-round, fishing season in harbor and southcentral Alaska actually heats up in late May, when the prized king salmon returns home to spawn in the area’s glacier-fed, freshwater streams.

The remaining 4 sorts of Pacific salmon-sockeye, coho, buddy and pink-are also found in the general area.

Many anglers are now trying to catch what’s known as a “grand slam”-all 5 species of salmon. Some say a simple way to remember which kind is which is to match them up with the fingers on your hand.

&8226 ; Thumb-Chum salmon (Dog). The best fishing for this fish is mid-July to late Aug. Chum salmon have a firm texture, tempting orange-pink color and delicate flavor that makes it a perfect fish for smoking. The average weight is 8 pounds and they can grow to be twenty-five to twenty-seven inches long.

• Pointer finger-Sockeye salmon (Red). Most available late May to early June or mid-July, sockeye salmon are the second most common Alaskan salmon species. This species turns from a silvery color to a bright red body and green head as they begin the journey upriver to spawn. Their average weight is 6 pounds and they can grow to almost 3 feet in length.

&8226 ; Middle finger-King salmon ( Chinook ). The best fishing for king salmon is mid-June to mid- July. The largest species of salmon in Alaska, they are prized for their color, high oil content, firm texture and tender taste. Average weight is approximately 20 pounds and length goes from 30 to 40 inches.

• Ring finger-Silver salmon (Coho). With its orange-red flesh, firm texture and delicate flavor, cohos are really preferred among locals. The best fishing for them is present in early August to mid-September. Cohos are the second largest of the species, with average weights of 12 pounds, and range from 25 to 35 inches in length.

&8226 ; Pinky finger-Pink salmon (Humpy). At the height of their run, millions of pinks swim up the freshwater brooks and streams to spawning grounds. Pinks are the littlest and most usual of the species and average about two to three pounds. The best fishing for pinks occurs in mid-July to late August.

If you enjoy cooking and making food, visit cooking101.org for more recipe and guides on how to cook quality meals. Along the way, you might want to check out salmon dip.

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