Sockeye Salmon
Oncorhynchus nerka
Also known as Red salmon, Blueback salmon, Redfish, Summer Sockeye
Culinary Profile
Rich flavor that rivals the flavor of Chinook (king) salmon.
Firm and fatty, making it rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Sockeye salmon is low in sodium and is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Sockeye is one of the smaller species of Pacific salmon, measuring 1.5 to 2.5 feet in length and weighing 4 to 15 pounds. Kokanee (non-anadromous sockeye) rarely exceed 1.2 feet in length. Sea-going sockeye salmon have iridescent silver flanks, a white belly, and a metallic green-blue top, giving them their "blueback" name.
Biology
Most sockeye salmon are anadromous—they hatch in freshwater streams and rivers or lakes and generally rear in freshwater lakes for 1 to 3 years, after which they reach the smolt stage and migrate to the ocean to feed and grow. They typically mature and return to fresh water after 2 to 3 years at sea, but some return earlier or stay at sea longer, between 4 and 5 years.
Where They Live
Range Northwest Alaska to the Deschutes River in Oregon. Habitat Freshwater lakes, streams, estuaries, and associated wetlands provide vital nursery grounds for sockeye salmon. Anadromous sockeye migrate from fresh water habitats to the ocean to further grow, feed, and mature. Adult salmon leave the ocean, enter fresh water, and migrate many miles upstream to spawn, usually in the stream or lake of their birth.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Fresh summer and early fall. Frozen, canned, and smoked year-round.
Source
Alaska to Oregon.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In 2023, commercial landings of sockeye salmon totaled 286 million pounds and were valued at approximately $237.6 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Almost all the sockeye salmon harvested in the United States comes from Alaska fisheries. Sockeye salmon are also harvested off the West Coast, mainly Washington, with a small amount harvested in Oregon. Sockeye salmon remain the preferred species for canning due to the rich orange-red color of their flesh. More than half of the U.S. sockeye salmon catch is sold fresh or frozen rather than canned. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Primarily harvested commercially in net fisheries , including gillnet purse seines and, more rarely, reef nets.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 65 Species
Where Sockeye Salmon ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choline | 94.6 mg | 2 / 65 | 97% |
| Vitamin D | 14.1 IU | 6 / 54 | 89% |
| Protein | 22.25 g | 9 / 111 | 92% |
| Phosphorus | 257 mg | 10 / 111 | 91% |
| Vitamin B12 | 4.69 µg | 21 / 106 | 80% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 251 mg | 31 / 104 | 70% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 471 mg | 33 / 104 | 68% |
| Zinc | 0.46 mg | 61 / 111 | 45% |
| Iron | 0.43 mg | 74 / 111 | 33% |
| Selenium | 29.8 µg | 94 / 106 | 11% |
Other Species in Genus Oncorhynchus
4 close biological relatives of Sockeye Salmon profiled in this catalogue — typically sharing similar anatomy, depth range, and fishery management.
| Species | Scientific name | Protein (g/100 g) | Omega-3 DHA (mg) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook Salmon | Oncorhynchus tshawytscha | 19.93 | 944 | Smart Choice |
| Chum Salmon | Oncorhynchus keta | 20.14 | 394 | Smart Choice |
| Coho Salmon | Oncorhynchus kisutch | 21.62 | 656 | Smart Choice |
| Pink Salmon | Oncorhynchus gorbuscha | 20.5 | 333 | Smart Choice |
Other Alaska Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Sockeye Salmon.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Bocaccio
Sebastes paucispinis
Delicate, nutty, sweet flavor.
Canary Rockfish
Sebastes pinniger
Delicate, nutty, sweet flavor.
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Chinook salmon has a pronounced buttery, rich taste. They are the most highly prized salmon in the culinary world.
Chum Salmon
Oncorhynchus keta
Chum salmon has a lower oil content than other wild salmon, so it has a relatively mild flavor.
Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch
Smaller coho have a delicate flavor. Fillets from larger fish have a mild taste.
Dover Sole
Microstomus pacificus
Mild and sweet.
English Sole
Parophrys vetulus
Mild taste with a slight shellfish flavor.
Flathead Sole
Hippoglossoides elassodon
Mild and delicate flavor.
Geoduck
Panopea generosa
The neck is tough and crunchy, while the belly meat is tender and sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Rich-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the rich flavour profile of Sockeye Salmon, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Almaco Jack
Seriola rivoliana
Almaco jack has a clean, sweet, rich, slightly nutty, buttery flavor.
Atlantic Chub Mackerel
Scomber colias
Rich, pronounced flavor.
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
Atlantic Salmon
Salmo salar
Buttery, rich taste.
Atlantic Sea Scallop
Placopecten magellanicus
Sea scallops have a sweet, rich taste that can be mild or briny.
Bluefish
Pomatomus saltatrix
Rich, full flavor. The larger the fish, the more pronounced the taste. A strong-flavored, dark strip of meat on the fillet may be removed be…
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sockeye Salmon found?
Range Northwest Alaska to the Deschutes River in Oregon. Habitat Freshwater lakes, streams, estuaries, and associated wetlands provide vital nursery grounds for sockeye salmon. Anadromous sockeye migrate from fresh water habitats to the ocean to further grow, feed, and mature.
How much Sockeye Salmon is caught commercially?
Commercial fishery: In 2023, commercial landings of sockeye salmon totaled 286 million pounds and were valued at approximately $237.6 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Almost all the sockeye salmon harvested in the United States comes from Alaska fisheries. Sockeye salmon are also harvested off the West Coast, mainly Washington, with a small amount harvested in Oregon.
What is the texture of Sockeye Salmon meat?
Firm and fatty, making it rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
How long do Sockeye Salmon live?
Lifespan is about 5 years.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught sockeye salmon is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
Alaska: There are hundreds of stocks of sockeye salmon in Alaska. Some stocks are in decline, while others are steady or increasing. None are listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) . The Alaska Coho Salmon Assemblage consists of coho salmon, sockeye salmon, pink salmon, and chum salmon throughout southeast Alaska.
Management
Alaska Department of Fish and Game , NOAA Fisheries , and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council manage sockeye salmon in Alaska. Managed under the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Salmon Fisheries in the EEZ off the Coast of Alaska . All management of the salmon fisheries in federal waters is delegated to the State of Alaska and the Department of Fish and Game .
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 22 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.