TERRACE, B.C. – A sure sign of summer has returned to the Northwest, as the first sockeye salmon of the 2025 season have been caught in the lower Skeena River. The exciting first catches come as Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has released a forecast predicting a healthy run for the year.
DFO’s pre-season forecast projects that the total number of sockeye returning to the Skeena watershed this year will be slightly above the long-term average. While not expected to be a record-breaking run, the numbers indicate a healthy and sustainable return for one of the region’s most vital species.
The annual sockeye run is the lifeblood of the Skeena River, holding immense cultural, economic, and ecological importance.
For local First Nations, the sockeye return is a cornerstone of food, social, and ceremonial life. For the region’s recreational and commercial fishers, a healthy run signals the start of a busy and crucial season.
The arrival of the first sockeye in the lower river is just the beginning. The run will continue to build over the coming weeks as the fish make their incredible journey upriver to their spawning grounds throughout the vast Skeena watershed.
