Why Copper River & Prince William Sound Salmon Are Naturally Vibrant 

One of the most common questions we hear is: Why is Copper River and Prince William Sound (CR/PWS) salmon so deeply colored? The answer lies in where these fish come from, what they eat, and the demanding journeys they make before reaching Alaska’s rivers. 

That rich red-orange hue is earned naturally through diet, environment, and biology; it isn’t added, dyed, or enhanced. Below is a high‑level look at what gives CR/PWS salmon that stunning color everyone always asks about, and what that color represents nutritionally. 

The Role of Astaxanthin 

At the heart of salmon’s color is astaxanthin, a naturally occurring carotenoid pigment found in the marine food web. Astaxanthin is responsible for the pink, red, and orange tones in wild salmon — and it’s also a powerful antioxidant. 

Salmon don’t produce astaxanthin themselves. Instead, they accumulate it through their diet, primarily by eating: 

• Krill and plankton 
• Shrimp and small crustaceans 
• Smaller forage fish that have already consumed astaxanthin-rich organisms 

The more astaxanthin-rich prey a salmon consumes over its lifetime, the deeper its natural color. Nutritionally, astaxanthin is linked to:

• Antioxidant activity 
• Support for muscle endurance and recovery 
• Anti-inflammatory properties

 In wild salmon, astaxanthin is bound within the muscle tissue — contributing not just to color, but also to overall nutritional density. 

Photo Credit: Krill of the Prince William Soundcourtesy of The Prince William Sound Science Center, Rob Campbell

Why CR/PWS Salmon Are Especially Colorful

Salmon from Copper River and Prince William Sound are known for intense color because they: 

• Travel long distances in cold, nutrient-rich waters 
• Feed in productive marine ecosystems
• Build significant fat and nutrient reserves for challenging freshwater migrations 

These fish are conditioned by environment and effort. Color is often a visible marker of that life history. 

Color by Species 

Sockeye Salmon (Red Salmon) 

Sockeye are the most vividly colored of all Pacific salmon. 

Why: 

• Diet is heavily focused on zooplankton and krill, which are exceptionally high in astaxanthin
• Spend much of their marine life feeding lower on the food chain, where pigments are most concentrated 

What the color represents: 

• Extremely high astaxanthin levels 
• Lean muscle with dense nutritional value 
• Bold flavor and firm texture 

Sockeye’s deep red flesh is often considered the benchmark for wild salmon color.

King Salmon (Chinook) 

King salmon display a range of color from lighter peach to deep red-orange. 

Why: 

• More varied diet that includes forage fish (herring, sand lance) in addition to crustaceans 
• Higher fat content dilutes pigment visually, even when astaxanthin levels are significant 

What the color represents: 

• High omega‑3 content 
• Rich mouthfeel and buttery texture 
• Balanced nutrition with substantial energy reserves 

In Kings, color works alongside fat content to define quality — not in opposition to it. 

Coho Salmon (Silver Salmon)  

 Coho salmon typically have a bright, medium orange flesh. 

Why: 

• Mixed diet of crustaceans and small fish 
• Moderate astaxanthin accumulation 

What the color represents: 

• Clean flavor profile 
• Firm yet tender texture 
• Well-rounded nutritional composition 

Coho offer a balance of color, flavor, and versatility.

Color as a Signal — Not a Guarantee

While color is a meaningful indicator, it’s not the only measure of quality. 

Factors such as: 

Harvest timing 

Handling practices 

Species-specific biology 

These factors all play a role in the final eating experience. That said, in wild CR/PWS salmon, color is a reliable signal of diet, environment, and effort — not artificial enhancement. 

Photo Credit: Krill of the Prince William Soundcourtesy of The Prince William Sound Science Center, Rob Campbell

Wild Color, Naturally Earned

Every shade of CR/PWS salmon reflects a life spent feeding in cold, productive waters and migrating through powerful rivers. From krill-rich diets to long-distance swims, their color tells a story of origin, nutrition, and resilience. Whether enjoyed fresh, frozen, smoked, or canned, the vibrant color of Copper River and Prince William Sound salmon is a visible reminder of what makes these fish exceptional — naturally.