The Sockeye Salmon

By Staff - Jun 15, 2003

The Sockeye, traditionally a commercial fish, is now an important part of the BC sport fishery. The Sockeye is best known for it's brilliant red flesh. The Sockeye returns to the Fraser River in the millions every year, headed for destinations such as the Horsefly River near Williams Lake, and the famous Adams River. During a commercial opening, the Fraser River is a web of boats and nets. To protect endangered Thompson River Coho, the commercial sockeye catch on the Fraser has been reduced. The sockeye is the second smallest of the Salmons, only bigger than the Pink. An average Fraser Sockeye weighs from five to seven pounds.

Adult Sockeye salmon enter mouths of natal rivers from June to September. They spawn during September or October in gravel redds located in lake tributaries, lake outlets, or spring-fed areas along lake shores. Adults die soon after spawning. Eggs hatch in winter and spring and fry emerge from gravel in April and May after yolk sac is absorbed. Most juveniles rear in lake for 2-3 years and migrate to sea as smolts. In some stocks, fry migrate directly downstream and rear in the river or upper estuary for up to 5 months. Yearlings may also rear in upper estuary for up to 6 weeks. Smolts may remain in estuarine waters for 2 weeks or more, but generally migrate quickly through shallows near shore to deeper water. Usually spend 2-3 years feeding in the northeast Pacific Ocean before returning to spawn in natal tributary stream or lake. Maximum size is about 84 cm, and adults may live for up to 8 years.

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