Information on Wild Alaska Salmon Skin and Flesh Color
Pink Salmon
This guide depicts color changes in fresh Pink Salmon. Please note that changes in skin color may occur after freezing. Slight differences in color may also be attributable to the geographic region in which the fish was caught.
Ocean Bright Pinks are characterized by a slim body, shiny silvery skin, very small scales, and large black spots on the tail and back.
Semi-bright show a slight distortion of the back as the hump begins to develop in the males, deeper body in females, and upper jaw begins to arch, and dark bars are barely apparent on the sides.
The skin of Dark Pinks has become darker, thicker and coarser and a pronounced hump has developed on the males with darker pronounced bars on the sides.
Alaska Range: Southeastern Alaska to the Arctic Ocean
Fishing methods: Gillnet, Seine, Troll
Quantity: Pinks average 55.8% by fish of the annual Alaska salmon harvest; 44% by weight of the annual Alaska salmon harvest.
The smallest and most abundant of the Alaska salmon, a Pink will run from 2 to 6 pounds with the average being slightly less than 4 pounds.
Most pink Salmon are canned but increasing numbers are entering the fresh and frozen markets as they become more popular as small, economical salmon for table use.
