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Facts About Pink Salmon

Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), also referred to as dog salmon and humpback salmon, is a species of salmon that lives in the Pacific Ocean. Commercial and recreational fishers catch pink salmon in Alaska, Washington and Canada.

Appearance
- When in water, pink salmon appear metallic blue-green on top and silvery underneath. Male pink salmon develop humped backs during spawning. Males become reddish-yellow during spawning, while females develop a green tint. Pink salmon usually weigh 3 to 5 lbs.
Diet
- Young pink salmon eat larval insects and small crustaceans, such as waterfleas and sideswimmers. Larger pink salmon eat small fish and opossum shrimp.
Life Cycle
- Pink salmon have a two-year life cycle that begins as eggs are laid in the fall. Eggs hatch in January or February and begin migrating downstream. Pink salmon usually return two years later to spawn in the location where they hatched. Salmon die after spawning.

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