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Alaska is feted for its wild salmon. The flavour of Alaskan salmon depends on fat content and the environment in which it matured. Alaska’s pure waters and the wealth of natural food give Alaska salmon unparalleled flavor.

Although salmon are caught in Alaska’s spotless waters year-long, fishing season in port and southcentral Alaska really heats up in late May, when the prized king salmon returns home to spawn in the area’s glacier-fed, freshwater streams.

The remaining four varieties of Pacific salmon-sockeye, coho, chum and pink-are also found in the general area.

Many anglers are now trying to catch what’s known as a “grand slam”-all 5 species of salmon. Some say an easy way to recollect which kind is which is to match them up with the fingers on your hand.

&8226 ; Thumb-Chum salmon ( Dog ). The best fishing for this fish is mid-July to late August. Buddy salmon have a firm texture, tempting orange-pink color and fragile flavour that makes it a perfect fish for smoking. The average weight is 8 pounds and they can grow to be twenty-five to 27 inches long.

&8226 ; Pointer finger-Sockeye salmon (Red). Most available late May to early June or mid-July, sockeye salmon are the second most abounding Alaskan salmon species. This species turns from a silvery color to a bright red body and green head as they begin the journey upriver to spawn. Their average weight is 6 pounds and they can grow to almost three feet in length.

• Middle finger-King salmon ( Chinook ). The best fishing for king salmon is mid-June to mid- July. The biggest species of salmon in Alaska, they are valued for their color, high oil content, firm texture and tasty taste. Average weight is roughly 20 pounds and length goes from 30 to 40 inches.

• Ring finger-Silver salmon (Coho). With its orange-red flesh, firm texture and delicate flavor, cohos are very popular among neighbors. The best fishing for them is present in early August to mid-September. Cohos are the second biggest of the species, with average weights of twelve pounds, and range between twenty-five to 35 inches in length.

• Pinky finger-Pink salmon ( Humpy ). At the height of their run, millions of pinks swim up the freshwater rivers and streams to spawning grounds. Pinks are the littlest and most usual of the species and average about two to three pounds. The best fishing for pinks happens in mid-July to late August.

For more information about food and useful cooking tips, check out cooking101.org and also have a look at recipe for salmon dip.