Sockeye salmon, also known as red salmon, have silver sides with a bluish-green back. Like the chum salmon, they don’t have any distinct black spots on their body. Just prior to spawning both sexes turn red with green heads and sport a dark stripe on their sides. Males develop a hump on their back and the jaw and teeth become hooked during their move from salt to fresh water. They have a 4 year life span, but they grow slowly. Most sockeye salmon are in the 3 to 5 pound range and any fish over 10 pounds are considered a trophy. The world record is just over 15 pounds.
