Pink Salmon are not much different than other Pacific Salmon in terms of habitat preference, water temperate and their distribution.

They also have similar food preferences. Pink Salmon will eat euphausiids, amphipods and a variety of fish including herring, which is one of their favourites fish. They will also go after squid, which is a top bait for many ocean living predators.

Ocean Food Preferences

As mentioned above, herring are one of their favourite foods. However, pilchards and sand lance work just as well when going after Pink Salmon. Other ocean foods known to be part of the Pink Salmon’s diet include crustaceans and molluscs.

The ocean has thousands of species of crustaceans so pretty much any crustacean is best. If you are going to fish with them, focus on the most popular.

Schooling Herring

Herring school in large groups and can be found along the shore in bays or estuaries especially during late fall along northern California, Washington and the southern British Columbia coast.

Herring are found in abundance. Focus on herring and squid as these are the two most popular and successful foods. However, be prepared to catch other predatory fish as squid and herring attract more than just Pacific Salmon.

During this time, Coho and other Salmon come to the shallows and feast on herring. In the northwest coast of North America, this usually occurs in November and December.

Juvenile Pink Salmon Food Preferences

Juvenile Pink Salmon spend no more than six months in their birth river, with many heading directly to the ocean after birth. This is the only time that they will feed in fresh water as Pink Salmon will not feed when they return to spawn.

In freshwater, Pink Salmon feed on plankton and insects. However, they do not start feeding on insects right away, aquatic to otherwise. When they are first born, Pink Salmon feed solely on plankton after the yolk sac is gone.

Pink Salmon Flesh

Pink salmon’s flesh is more tuna like in appearance than other Pacific Salmon. Oddly enough, then Pink Salmon is packaged or canned, it loses much of the red hue.