Sitka’s Salmon Grand Slam

Four of 5 types of salmon: Pink, Silver, Chum, King (from left to right)

Five species of Pacific salmon ply the waters of Southeast Alaska – kings (Chinook), coho (silvers), sockeye (reds), chum (dogs), and pinks (humpies). The seasonal timing varies with each species and the runs within the species. Kings are present throughout the year but in relatively small numbers from September until spring when schools begin building up to a peak in June. The other species arrive over the course of the summer with the exact timing trying from year to year depending on ocean currents. The overlap period for all five species comes from July and August providing guests with the chance for catching one of each species amidst a day of fishing, what we call The Sitka Salmon Grand Slam.

By mid-summer three of the five species – pinks, kings, and coho – are commonly caught in the same locations. The chum numbers vary widely from year to year. In 2023 and 2024 we saw massive chum schools. In 2025 the chums weren’t as easy to come but catching one was ever possible. Sockeye present the biggest obstacle to hitting the slam. They aren’t hugely abundant in the salt water of Southeast Alaska and they primarily feed on zooplankton. thankfully, they sometimes can’t resist a herring on the end of your line.

No doubt that luck plays a role in hitting the slam. It’s a big ocean and the schools don’t always mix. But, if the Sitka Salmon Grand Slam piques your interest, you’d be hard pressed to find a better lace to pursue that goal than fishing the ocean outside of Sitka. And, should you get all five in a day, you might take a small filet of each back to your AU suite and grill them up for a blind taste test. Can people tell the difference? How do they rank the species in taste? We’ve done it and the results are both variable and surprising.

We currently have a few openings during the Grand Slam season, July 1, 2026 – July 18, 2026. Give us a call to learn more about it.

Sockeye Salmon

King Salmon caught July 1, 2025

Tide to Table: Recipes for Sitka’s Iconic Salmon Slam

For more great fish recipes check out our website!

Smoked Salmon (Great with Any Species, Especially Chum)

A good smoke turns salmon into something that feels almost ceremonial, the flesh taking on a gentle bronze and a whisper of campfire. Chum, with its leaner texture, soaks up the brine like it has been waiting all year for this moment.

Fish Cakes

This simple fish-cake recipe is especially well suited for pink salmon, whose mild flavor and tender texture blend beautifully with herbs and seasonings. Whether you’re working with fresh fillets or using up pinks from the freezer, these fish cakes come together easily and cook up golden, crisp, and full of comfort.

Salmon Dip or Ball

This creamy salmon dip (or festive cheese ball) always seems to disappear first at holiday gatherings. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing way to use silver salmon, and it works perfectly with fillets you’ve tucked into the freezer. The bright, clean flavor of coho lifts the rich ingredients, giving you a spread that feels both comforting and celebratory.

Maple Pecan Crusted Salmon

The pairing of maple and pecan brings an instant sense of holiday warmth, creating a sweet, toasty crust that flatters the richness of king salmon. It’s a wonderful way to put those prized fillets you’ve been saving to good use, turning them into a centerpiece that feels lavish without being fussy.

Salmon and Halibut Chowder

With winter settling in, a hearty chowder becomes the kind of comfort that wraps around you like a warm coat. This version brings together salmon and halibut for a rich, coastal flavor, and it works well with any of Sitka’s five salmon species. Sockeye is especially lovely here, adding depth and color to a bowl that feels made for stormy evenings and slow dinners.