Alaska is famous for its wild salmon. The flavor of Alaskan salmon depends on fat content and the environment in which it matured. Alaska’s pure waters and the wealth of natural food give Alaska salmon unparalleled 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 cherished king salmon returns home to spawn in the area’s glacier-fed, freshwater streams.

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

Many anglers are now attempting 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 August. Buddy 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.

&8226 ; Pointer finger-Sockeye salmon (Red). Most available late May to early June or mid-July, sockeye salmon are the second most abundant Alaskan salmon species. This species turns from a silvery color to a bright red body and green head as they start the journey upriver to spawn. Their average weight is six pounds and they can grow to virtually three feet in length.

• Middle finger-King salmon ( Chinook ). The best fishing for king salmon is mid-June to mid- July. The biggest species of salmon in Alaska, they are prized for their color, high oil content, firm texture and succulent taste. Average weight is roughly twenty pounds and length goes from thirty to forty inches.

&8226 ; Ring finger-Silver salmon ( Coho ). With its orange-red flesh, firm texture and fragile flavor, cohos are very popular among locals. The best fishing for them is in early August to mid-September. Cohos are the second biggest of the species, with average weights of twelve pounds, and range between twenty-five to 35 inches in length.

&8226 ; Pinky finger-Pink salmon ( Humpy ). At the height of their run, millions of pinks swim up the freshwater streams and streams to spawning grounds. Pinks are the smallest and most usual of the species and average about two to 3 pounds. The best fishing for pinks occurs in mid-July to late August.

Do you like to cook? If so, visit cooking101.org and get easy recipes you can use everyday to make delicious meals for the entire family and you might also want to take a look at salmon fishcakes.

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