Sockeye salmon have a scientific name of Oncorhynchus nerka and a nickname of red salmon. They are a Pacific salmon and reach an average length of 20" to 30" with an average weight of 6 to 8 pounds. These fish can be found along the Columbia River and places like Alaska, Japan and Siberia.

The adult Sockeye will spend from 1 to 4 years in salt water and will be feeding mainly on drifting organisms called plankton and shrimp. It's color will be mostly green and silver during this time but this will change as it migrates to spawn. Sockeye will travel great distances to reach their freshwater birthplace and by the time they arrive at their destination, the males will have turned a bright red with a hump. Their head will remain green but with a hook jaw and dog-like teeth. The female will be a dull red with a green head. The female will use her tail to create a nest or redd to lay her thousands of eggs in and the male will fertilize them with milt. Both the male and female will die after spawning.

Sockeye salmon are another great tasting fish and are good for you too. If you've never tried eating them, you're missing out on a fabulous treat!