The 2025 Puget Sound Chum Salmon forecast called for a major rebound. Preseason estimates projected 1.35 million Chum, an increase of 66% over 2024. This puts 2025 on track to be one of the strongest Chum Salmon years in nearly a decade, especially in the South Sound and Hood Canal regions—areas responsible for the majority of Washington’s fall Chum production.

The Pink Salmon forecast for Puget Sound was also highly positive. Managers projected 5.34 million Pink Salmon, a 68% increase over the last odd-year run in 2023. With more than 4 million Pink Salmon forecasted for the South Sound alone, the 2025 season could rank among the strongest Pink Salmon years in recent cycles.



While Chum and Pink outlooks improved, Coho Salmon forecasts for 2025 were lower than 2024, reflecting reduced run-size expectations and continued access limitations across Puget Sound fishing areas. Chinook Salmon remains the smallest contributor to fall harvests, though its run-size forecast did see a modest improvement.

Even with stronger Chum and Pink returns in Washington, the broader North American salmon supply remains constrained. Key factors include: Lower Alaska Pink Salmon harvests compared to the strong 2023 odd-year cycle; The ongoing ban on Russian salmon imports, removing a major supplier from North American markets; Continued Coho and Chinook limitations.
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Increased Pink Salmon availability may help soften some pressure in the low-cost salmon category, but not enough to offset overall market tightness.

We recommend that buyers secure salmon offers as soon as they become available. Puget Sound should provide better volume and improved availability compared to 2024, particularly for Chum and Pink Salmon. However, the tight North American supply landscape suggests pricing will stabilize rather than soften, and buyers should plan accordingly.



Japan typically operates a large Hokkaido fall Chum Salmon fishery, but 2025 harvest levels dropped to record lows. Because most Japanese Chum production is consumed domestically, this decline further tightens the global Chum market.

Salmon in British Columbia, Canada continues to face long-term stock recovery challenges. Despite stronger-than-average Chum and Pink landings in 2024, and higher-than-expected Fraser River Salmon returns in 2025, commercial fisheries remained largely closed. As a result, B.C. Salmon contributes little to overall supply in 2025.

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