King salmon are liked for their high oil content, firm texture, and rich flavor. They are also called chinook, tyee, or blackmouth salmon. Our wild king salmon portions have a rich and buttery flavor with soft-textured flakes and a velvety finish. These fish are locally, wild-caught by Salish Sea fishers, not far from our Reefnet fishery.
King salmon have consistently won blind taste tests among salmon aficionados. Kings are the largest of the species, typically sitting at an average weight between 10 and 20 lbs. The fish’s high oil content makes it perfect for grilling, broiling, sautéing, baking, poaching, steaming, and smoking. In fact, almost any way you cook salmon will make it taste good on a king salmon.
If you’ve never bought wild king salmon online before, you should know that fish lovers never agree on which type of salmon is better: king or sockeye. We have to say that these pieces of wild king salmon will be tough for sockeye fans.
You can be sure that Orca Safe Salmon fish you eat was caught in a terminal area, which is close to the salmon’s home river and long after an Orca would have eaten the fish. Orca Safe Salmon also means that the fish you eat was caught using sustainable gear that caught few or no other fish. This happened in a fishery that was closely watched by Tribal, Federal, and/or State fisheries managers.
I absolutely love king salmon! It’s my favorite type of salmon because of its rich, fatty texture and incredible flavor. If you also enjoy king salmon you may be wondering where you can find and buy high-quality fresh king salmon.
It’s possible to enjoy wild-caught king salmon in the comfort of your own home. In this article, I’ll tell you the best places to buy it.
The biggest type of salmon is the king salmon, which is also called the chinook salmon. These fish average 10-20 pounds, with some “kings” reaching up to 100 pounds!.
King salmon are anadromous, meaning they hatch in freshwater, migrate to the ocean to feed and grow, and return to freshwater to spawn The majority of king salmon available to consumers are caught during their ocean phase
This cold-water fatty fish is prized for its firm texture and rich buttery flavor. Its high oil content makes king salmon perfect for grilling broiling, baking, poaching, and smoking.
King salmon swim upstream against strong currents to return to their spawning grounds. Because they have to travel so far, their meat has a lot of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s provide important health benefits including reducing inflammation and heart disease risk.
So where can you find and buy fresh, sustainably-caught king salmon? I’ve rounded up the best sources below.
1. Online Seafood Companies
One of the best ways to buy king salmon is through online seafood suppliers like Lummi Island Wild and Wild Alaska Salmon & Seafood.
When you order king salmon online, it’s shipped overnight on ice to arrive fresh at your doorstep. reputable seafood companies partner directly with fishermen, processors, and distributors to deliver the highest-quality seafood.
Lummi Island Wild
Lummi Island Wild offers premium wild king salmon portions sustainably caught in the Salish Sea by Native American fishers. Their king salmon is packaged in 6 oz skin-on, boneless portions, perfect for easy weeknight meals.
Each order ships frozen on dry ice to lock in freshness. Their king salmon has a rich, velvety texture and intense buttery flavor that lives up to its royal name. Lummi Island Wild is a great source for guilt-free seafood aligned with their values of health, sustainability, and community.
Wild Alaska Salmon & Seafood
This company delivers wild king salmon sustainably caught in Alaska by Captain Tony himself. The king salmon is hand-cut into 6-10 oz skin-on fillets and flash-frozen at peak freshness.
Their king salmon boasts a superb flavor and fatty texture from swimming upstream against Alaska’s cold, fast currents. The salmon is responsibly caught and processed to provide a premium, healthy choice for seafood lovers.
I highly recommend ordering king salmon online from reputable sellers like Lummi Island Wild and Wild Alaska Salmon & Seafood. You’ll receive incredibly fresh, high-quality king salmon packaged to arrive in perfect condition.
2. Fish Markets and Seafood Counters
Another way to find king salmon is to visit local fish markets and grocery store seafood counters. Stop by the seafood counter and ask if they have any wild-caught king salmon available.
Make sure to ask questions about where the salmon came from and when it arrived at the store. This will give you insights into freshness.
Examine the salmon carefully. Look for:
- Bright, shiny skin with vibrant pink/red flesh
- Firm, thick fillets
- Clear eyes
- No brown spots or dried edges
Sniff the salmon. It should smell like the ocean, not fishy or ammonia-like. Pass on any king salmon that smells unpleasant or looks dull.
For the best quality, I recommend buying salmon the same day it was delivered to the store. And be sure to keep the salmon well-iced for the trip home.
Buying king salmon from a trusted fish market or grocery seafood counter allows you to hand-select the fillets. You also support local businesses. Just pay close attention to freshness and quality.
3. Fishermen’s Markets
If you live near a port city, visiting a fishermen’s market is my favorite way to buy ultra-fresh seafood. You can buy king salmon and other seafood directly from the fishing boats.
Fishermen’s markets only sell seafood caught in the past 1-3 days, so freshness is unmatched. You’ll also likely find better prices than retail stores since you eliminate the distributor middleman.
At a fishermen’s market, make sure to arrive early in the morning when the boats first come in. Be prepared to wait in line for the freshest picks. And bring a cooler or ice pack to keep your salmon cold.
Buying directly from the fishing boats allows you to learn about different catch methods and support small fishermen in your community. Just be aware fishermen’s markets are seasonal, so king salmon may not always be available.
4. Catch It Yourself
If you’re up for an adventure, head out fishing and catch your own king salmon! Going salmon fishing allows you to experience the thrill of reeling in a “king” after an intense battle. You’ll also get to enjoy the freshest salmon possible.
In most areas, you’ll need to hire a guided fishing charter to target king salmon. Reputable guides have the proper licenses, equipment, and local knowledge to help you hook a giant king. They know all the prime fishing spots to intercept salmon on their spawning migrations.
If you prefer to fish from shore, look for spots along productive river systems and watch for signs of salmon runs. Shore fishing takes patience, but connecting with a king makes it all worthwhile.
No matter how you catch it, cooking up your own wild king salmon is an amazing experience. Just be sure to follow local fishing regulations for size/catch limits and seasonal closures.
Tips for Buying King Salmon
Follow these tips to help find and select the best-quality king salmon:
- Look for wild-caught, sustainable sources like MSC or Alaska Seafood certified
- Check the harvest date and aim to buy salmon within 4 days of catch
- Inspect the eyes, skin, and flesh for signs of freshness
- Give the salmon a sniff test — it should have a mild, ocean smell
- Opt for thicker, center-cut fillets which hold moisture better
- Make king salmon the day’s featured meal, don’t let it linger in the fridge
Handling Instructions – Wild King Salmon
You can expect to get flash-frozen fish when you order wild king salmon from Lummi Island Wild online. All of our king salmon ships frozen in order to preserve the fish’s delicate taste and texture. We freeze our catch fresh so you can enjoy it just like the day it was caught. When you flash freeze fresh seafood, the delicate taste and texture of the fish are kept. This means that you get the best salmon possible.
Ships frozen with dry ice.
Keep Frozen. Thawing Instructions: Remove all packaging, thaw under refrigeration; maintain below 38 degrees F (3 degrees C).
How do you ship? Orders that need to be delivered quickly are sent via UPS 2nd Day Air Carbon Neutral, packed with enough dry ice to make sure they arrive frozen. Non-perishable items ship standard ground-arriving 3-5 days from the selected shipping date. * Shipments cannot be delivered to a PO BOX.
How do I track my order? Once your order has shipped, you will get an email with your tracking number to the address you used when you checked out. If you do not see an email in your inbox, please check your junk and spam folder!.
How do you keep things cold while they’re being shipped? We pack your order with enough dry ice or frozen gel packs based on where it’s going to keep things frozen. Dry ice will dissipate during transit and if none is visible in your box, that is ok.
Do you offer Local Pick up? We offer curbside pickup! Please place your order online. You can select local pickup during checkout. Leave a note with the day and time you’d like to come by, or you can come by between 10am and 1:30pm, Monday through Friday.
Do you offer a gift note service for online orders? Yes, you can leave messages for the recipients in the “Notes” section when you check out. This message will appear on the packing slip and does not include prices.
Wild King Salmon Preparation Tips
King salmon is one of the tastiest types of salmon, and it doesn’t take much work to make. The fish’s natural flavor and texture are enough to stand out as a main course. That said, we prefer our king salmon grilled on a cedar plank with a sprinkling of sea salt. Finally, rub some freshly squeezed lemon juice and freshly ground black pepper into the skin. When buying wild king salmon online, we recommend a simple preparation to better experience the fish’s flavor.
HOW TO BUY SALMON | What Salmon Should You Buy at the Grocery Store?
Do you sell Alaskan salmon?
We catch a limited suply of wild alaskan salmon each fall and sell it until it’s out. It’s sushi-grade and some of the highest-quality seafood on the planet. Customer Favorites
What is wild caught king salmon?
Our Wild-Caught King Salmon boasts exceptional flavor and freshness, capturing the true essence of Alaskan Seafood. Whether grilled, baked, or broiled, our King Salmon promises an unforgettable dining experience. We invite you to explore our collection of mouthwatering Salmon Recipes and elevate your culinary skills with each succulent bite.
Is wild caught king salmon healthy?
As a health-conscious consumer, you’ll be happy to know that our Wild-Caught King Salmon is loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin D, and Astaxanthin—essential nutrients that support your heart, brain, and overall well-being. Delicious and nutritional, what more could you ask for? Enjoy our Wild-Caught King Salmon?
Can wild salmon be organic?
On top of that, wild seafood of any kind, including wild salmon, cannot be considered organic because its feeding is not controlled. Vital Choice offers wild salmon delivery, including recipe-ready portions for your freezer and ready-to-eat provisions for your pantry.