Sockeye Salmon

Oncorhynchus nerka

The deep crimson, bold-flavored salmon most people picture when they hear "wild salmon." Rich without being heavy. Bristol Bay's signature run — and the fish that lands on more American plates than any other species we sell.

Sockeye is forgiving for the home cook. Holds up to grilling, pan-searing, miso-glazing, and curing. The dense flesh and high oil content are why it stays moist even when slightly overcooked.

Caught in 32-foot bowpickers in Bristol Bay during the late-June-through-July sockeye run, and trolled out of Kodiak as the late-summer Gulf returns come through.

Fat

Flavor

PeakJun–Aug

Where it runs

Catching grounds

The Alaska waters where sockeye salmon is sourced. Click through for the full story of each ground.

Southwest Alaska

Bristol Bay

Season · Late June – early August

Visit Bristol Bay

Gulf of Alaska

Kodiak

Season · Year-round (peak May–Sep)

Visit Kodiak

Who catches it

Vessels & programs

Vessel

F/V Pacific Cloud

Capt. Ryan Horwath

The F/V *Pacific Cloud* is the boat at the center of the company. Captained by founder Ryan Horwath, she works longline, pot, and jig gear out of Kodiak from spring through fall — halibut and sablefish on the longline grounds, Tanner crab in the winter pot fishery, and sockeye through the late-summer Gulf return.

Community-Supported Fishery

Fresh Fix

Fresh Fix is an à la carte seafood program for cooks who already know what they want. Pick the species, pick the week, and the fish ships frozen-at-sea or processed-within-hours from boats Pacific Cloud has vetted directly.

Community-Supported Fishery

Net to Table

Net to Table is a Buffalo-area direct-to-consumer seafood program built around traceable wild Alaska fish. The team works directly with vessels operating out of Kodiak and other Alaska ports, then handles cold-chain delivery to households across Western New York.

Community-Supported Fishery

Sitka Salmon Shares

Sitka Salmon Shares is one of the country's leading community-supported fishery (CSF) programs. Based in Sitka, Alaska, the company built the modern playbook for getting wild Southeast Alaska seafood directly to households across the Midwest and Northeast.

Cook it

Recipes for sockeye salmon

Alaska Salmon Burger

Fresh-ground wild sockeye formed into thick patties with capers, lemon zest, and herbs — pan-seared crispy on the outside, tender within.

Honey-Glazed Wild Sockeye Salmon

Wild sockeye salmon from Alaska deserves a preparation that honors its rich flavor. This honey-miso glaze adds depth without masking the fish.