Sockeye salmon, also known as red salmon, are native to the cold-water rivers and lakes of North America from the Columbia River to Alaska, Northern Japan, and eastern Russia. Sockeye salmon are born in freshwater in or near lakes. As juveniles they will rear in freshwater lakes for 1 to 2 years before migrating to the ocean. Sockeye salmon will spend 1-3 years in the ocean with adult fish weighing between 5-15lbs. Adult Sockeye salmon will migrate to their natal waters to spawn during the late summer and fall months. Sockeye will exhibit dramatic red coloration when returning to freshwater for spawning. All Sockeye salmon die after spawning. Some Sockeye salmon do not migrate to the ocean and spend their entire lives in freshwater. These fish are known as Kokanee.
