Common Fish of Southeast Alaska
"Seafood Dinners!"
King (Chinook) Salmon
Kings are the most highly prized of the Pacific
salmon. Noted for black irregular spots on back,
dorsal fin and both lobes of tail, kings have black
gums at the base of the teeth. Spotting on tail is
quite variable and is a poor characteristic for
identification. The silvery, iridescent tail and black
gum line are the best for identification purposes.
Most return to fresh water to spawn in their fourth or
fifth year. Some return in a year or so, and are known
as "jack" salmon. Average mature weight: 10-50 Ibs
(Trophy 50 Ibs) Edibility "A"
Coho (Silver) Salmon
Ranging along the Pacific Coast from northern
California to Kotzebue Sound, silvers are recognized
by black spots on the back and top lobe of the tail,
and a light gray gum line. Tail spots are quite
variable, and the pale gum line is restricted mostly to
a line along which teeth emerge. Average mature
weight: 2-20 Ibs (Trophy 20 Ibs) Edibility "A"
Pink (Humpback) Salmon
Smallest of the five species of Pacific salmon.
Distinguished by very small scales and large very
dark oval spots on back and entire tail. Tail lacks
iridescent sheen found on king salmon. Males on
spawning migration develop a high hump immediately
behind the head, suggesting the common name,
humpy or humpback. Average mature weight: 2-6 Ibs
(Trophy 9 Ibs) Edibility "A"
Sockeye (Red) Salmon
The name is a corruption of the name used by Indians
of British Columbia originally printed as "sukkai"
Sockeye salmon are greenish blue with fine pepper-
like specklings, no large dark spots. Breeding male
has pale green head, dark jaws, and bright red body
and fins. Spawning female is generally the same with
green and yellow splotches ori the body. Average
mature weight: 2-7 Ibs (Trophy 12 Ibs) Edibility "A"
Chum (Dog) Salmon
Recognizable by the lack of large black spots on the
body and fins, although all fins except the dorsal are
black tipped and sometimes lightly speckled. In fresh
water, spawning fish show reddish or dark streaks or
bars, and large pale blotches. Flesh of the fish is
pale pink, and the base of the tail is relatively
slender. Chum salmon grow to about 36 inches and
are rarely caught on sports gear. Average mature
weight: 2-15 Ibs (Trophy 15 Ibs) Edibility "A"
(All salmon have 13 or more rays in anal fin, rarely 12.)
Dolly Varden
A type of char, this fish is named for a brightly
colored cloth, which is named for a character in a
Dickens novel whose clothes were vividly described.
Variable in color, sea-run individuals are silvery,
others can be blue, olive green or brown on dorsal
surfaces, occasionally bright red on sides. Can be
recognized by the pale yellow spots on the back and
red to orange spots on the sides of the body. Average
mature weight: 2-7 Ibs (Trophy 10 Ibs) Edibility "A"
Cutthroat Trout
Named for the red or orange streaks along the inner
edge of the lower jaw in freshly caught specimens.
These trout spawn in fresh water, can live in either
fresh or saltwater. They are greenish blue on upper
surfaces, silvery on sides with angular or round black
spots often organized into irregular patterns on back
and sides, with small teeth to the back of the tongue
in a large mouth that extends beyond the back of
eye. Fish fresh from the sea are bluish with a silvery
sheen on sides. Sea-run cutthroat are hard to
distinguish from sea-run steelhead, although are
usually much smaller in size: Average mature weight:
1-4 Ibs (Trophy 4 Ibs) Edibility "A"
Rainbow Trout
Recognized by its short head, compressed body and
absence of red dash on lower jaw, the rainbow is
metallic blue on surface, silvery on sides, with black
spots on back and dorsal fin. Rainbow do not have
teeth on the back of the tongue. Males often have a
pink or red band on sides. Sea-run are usually known
as steelhead and are much larger than freshwater
resident fish. Average mature weight: 1-18 Ibs
(Trophy 15 Ibs) Edibility "A"
Brook Trout
A fresh-water char, brook trout are not native to
Alaska, all populations are the result of stocking
programs years ago. They are recognized by the dark
olive green color of the upper surfaces and sides.
Spots on the sides are large and nearly round, often
with a pale blue halo. Wavy lines are found on the
dorsal fin and back, and the ventral fins usually have
distinct white borders on the leading edge. Average
mature weight:1-8 Ibs (No trophy, 5 Ibs considered
large) Edibility "A"
Pacific Cod
Noted for having three separate dorsal fins, and long
barbel, this fish is usually brown to gray on dorsal
surface, shading into lighter hues on sides. Large
brown spots are numerous on back and sides. Anus
is located below second dorsal fin. A valuable
commercial product of the deepwater, trawl fishing
industry. Length to 36 inches. (No trophy) Edibility "B"
Sablefish
Called "the blackest fish on the dock," this fish is
black or greenish gray on dorsal surface, light gray
on sides. Sometimes called "black cod" but is not a
cod. Gill cover has a black lining and there is no
barbel. Sablefish have two, almost equal sized, dorsal
fins. Adults caught in deep water can reach a length
of 3 feet, but young usually range from 10 to 20
inches, and at times occur in shallow shoreline areas
where they can be taken by sport anglers. Adults are
excellent when smoked. (No trophy) Edibility "B"
Walleye Pollock (Whiting)
Nicknamed Bigeye, it is identified by the olive green
to brown color on dorsal surface, which is often
mottled. Barbel is either tiny or nonexistent, and the
dorsal fins are well separated. Bigeyes are usually
small with soft flesh, and are not classified as a
premium meat fish. Juvenile fish have a pair of
narrow yellow bands along sides. Length to 36
inches. (No trophy) Edibility "B"
Rockfish
There are many kinds of rockfish common to
Southeast Alaska, most are identified by platelike
scales and fins tipped with sharp spines. Colors
range from bright red, orange or brown to bright
green or greenish black. Most species are caught in
deep water and have a gas bladder which greatly
expands when water pressure is quickly decreased by
bringing the fish to the surface, often destroying
them. Handle with care because of the spines.
Length to 2 feet. (No trophy) Edibility "A"
Sculpin (Irish Lord)
Recognized by a large head with eyes placed high,
splotchy colors, lack of scales and numerous spiny
protrusions on all fins. Variable colors, with shades
ranging from olive green to brown, dark pink or
maroon, fins are usually banded with dark brown or
black. A puncture wound caused by the spines may
become irritated and infected. Length to 24 inches.
(No trophy) Edibility "C"
Dogfish
A small member of the shark family, these fish have
two dorsal fins and no anal fin. Dorsal fins may be
preceded by prominent spines. Usually blackish
brown or slate green in color, they are migratory and
known to eat at least 27 other species of fish. Once
harvested only for their livers, which were rendered
for the vitamin A rich oil. Lengths range from 3 to 6
feet. (No trophy) Edibility "C"
Pacific Halibut
Color on this flatfish is restricted to one side, with
both eyes on the right side of the head. Usually dark
brown or gray, marbled with paler shades, white on
blind side. Recognized by the slightly forked tail,
sturdy body and large, almost symmetrical mouth,
filled with large teeth. Length to 8 feet denotes a
female, males rarely over 4.5 feet long. Average
mature weight: to several hundred pounds. (Trophy
450 Ibs.) Edibility "A"
Turbot (Arrowtooth Flounder)
A large flatfish, distinguished by the very large mouth
extending behind the eyes, .arrow-shaped teeth, and
the left eye on the upper margin of the head. Brown
to olive brown on eyed side, white on blind side.
Usual length to 3 feet. Meat usually becomes mushy
when improperly cooked. (No trophy) Edibility "B"
Sole
Several species of these small flatfish are found in
local waters. Characterized by a rounded tail rather
than the widely flared and forked tail of a halibut,
most kinds of sole are brown or mottled gray on the
eyed side, white on blind side. Length of typical species
rarely exceeds 30 inches. (No trophy) Edibility "A"
