One of the most critical aspects of sourcing Pacific salmon is understanding when and where the fish are harvested. The timing is everything – these fish come in seasonal waves, and each species has its peak. Here we outline the general harvest calendar for the major species and the key producing regions that supply the world.

In broad strokes, Pacific salmon runs occur from late spring through fall in the Northern Hemisphere. Alaska’s commercial salmon season, for example, typically kicks off in May (with early Copper River Chinook and sockeye) and winds down by October (with late coho and chum). As a rule: King salmon start the season (May/June), Sockeye in mid-summer (June–July), Pinks and chums peak in mid-to-late summer (July–August), and Cohos come in late summer into fall (August–September). By October, the salmon runs in most areas are done (except for some straggler coho or chum and a few winter Chinook fisheries). For importers, this means fresh wild salmon is largely unavailable outside the May–September window, so planning for frozen inventory to cover the off-season (fall through spring) is crucial.

Let’s break it down by species with approximate timing:

Chinook (King)

The first to arrive. In Alaska and Canada, king salmon runs begin in May in some systems (e.g. the famed Copper River run in Alaska starts around mid-May, making those the season’s first wild salmon on the market). Kings continue to run through summer in various areas: there are distinct spring, summer, and fall “runs” of Chinook in different rivers. Peak commercial king catches in Alaska occur in June–July, especially in Southeast Alaska’s troll fishery and some net fisheries. By August, most king fisheries wind down (the fish that enter rivers later are often for sport/tribal use). A notable fishery is the Southeast Alaska troll season which targets Chinook in summer and again in a winter opening (though winter troll harvest is much smaller). For sourcing: fresh kings are mostly a late-May to July item. Frozen king salmon may be available year-round in limited quantities, but many kings are sold fresh due to high value.

Sockeye (Red)

Sockeye runs start a bit later than kings, generally. Major sockeye fisheries ramp up in June and peak in July. The Bristol Bay fishery – which can land tens of millions of sockeye in a few weeks – typically peaks in early to mid-July (with the heaviest catches often in the first two weeks of July). Other sockeye runs (Copper River, Cook Inlet, Fraser River in Canada, etc.) have their own timing: Copper River’s sockeye are early (May/June), Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound in June/July, Fraser River usually July/Aug. By early August, most sockeye are done. Sockeye is thus a summer fish; importers often need to negotiate their frozen sockeye purchases during or just after that July peak, when packers have product. Fresh sockeye is a staple of June–July fish counters in North America. By late August, fresh wild sockeye supply is nearly over (except some small late runs), and buyers transition to frozen inventory.

Pink (Humpy)

Pink salmon have a very compressed season centered on mid-summer. In even-numbered years some areas have minimal pink runs, and in odd years huge runs. For instance, Southeast Alaska and British Columbia pinks tend to peak in August (with fisheries in July-August). Prince William Sound’s pink run often peaks in late July into August. In odd years, you’ll see a flood of pinks landed in those weeks. By September, pink fishing is basically over – pinks spawn and die by early fall. Notably, because pinks have such a short life cycle (2 years), their run timing is extremely consistent – “on schedule” almost like clockwork in each river system. Importers of pink salmon (for canning or roe, etc.) typically do their buying in August when packers are processing full tilt. In 2025 (odd year), expect heavy pink availability July–Aug; in 2026 (even year), significantly less (some regions like Prince William Sound do have even-year pink runs, but smaller). Pink salmon’s biennial nature means if you need volume for long-term contracts, you might secure extra inventory in odd years to cover even-year demand.

Chum (Keta)

Chum salmon generally run later than pinks, with a broader timing. Many chum runs occur in late summer to early fall. For example, in Alaska’s Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers, chums run June–August; in Southeast Alaska, there are “summer chums” (July) and “fall chums” (Aug/Sept). Chums are often the last salmon still being caught as autumn approaches. Peak commercial catches usually happen in July and August, overlapping with pinks initially, and then continuing after pinks are done. By October, most chums have also spawned (although some very late chum runs in far north areas can go into October). One peculiarity: because chums are valued for roe, some fisheries target them when eggs are mature (which can be later in season). The Japanese and Russian hatchery chums also return in fall (Sept/Oct). For sourcing, expect chum availability in late summer; fresh chums often appear in markets in August. Many are processed into frozen roe and H&G (headed/gutted) for export around that time.

Coho (Silver)

Coho are the late bloomers of the salmon world. They typically start showing up in July in small numbers, build through August, and peak in September in many areas. Coho runs in Alaska (SE, Gulf of Alaska, etc.) and the Pacific Northwest are traditionally late summer runs. Commercial coho fishing often continues into September (when all the sockeye/pink mania is over, fishermen target coho in coastal areas or river mouths). For example, Southeast Alaska’s troll fleet catches a lot of coho in August. Coho are often the star of early fall salmon markets – when other wild salmon get scarce by Labor Day, fresh coho fill the gap through September. By October, coho fishing tapers off (though a few fisheries might go into October if runs are late). Importers needing coho will find the best selection and volume in late August and September. Frozen coho packs are usually made in that timeframe to supply the rest of the year.

In summary, the salmon calendar in Alaska and similar regions can be visualized as follows: May – early kings; June – kings + sockeye ramp up; July – peak sockeye, pinks start, chums start; August – peak pink and chum, sockeye tapering, coho growing; September – peak coho, late chums; October – season closes with a trickle of coho/chum. This aligns with the note that “salmon runs extend from May through October” in Alaska.

If you’re ready to source high-quality frozen pacific salmon or want a custom quote, visit our pacific salmon product page to get started today. You can also check out our full guide on pacific salmon sourcing and market dynamics.

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