Where Can You Buy Wild Caught Salmon? A Complete Guide

Wild caught salmon is growing in popularity due to its superior flavor, texture, color, and nutritional profile compared to farmed salmon. But with most salmon sold in stores being farm-raised, where can you find high-quality wild caught salmon to enjoy at home? This comprehensive guide covers all the best options for buying genuine wild salmon.

What Makes Wild Salmon So Special?

Wild salmon swim great distances in cold, clean waters as part of their natural lifecycle. This leads to some key differences from penned farm-raised salmon:

• Vibrant flesh color – Wild salmon develop a deep pink to bright red hue in their flesh thanks to eating krill, shrimp, and other prey rich in natural astaxanthin and carotenoids

• Better flavor – The diverse diet and swimming leads to a balanced, savory taste with briny, buttery, and mildly sweet flavor notes you won’t find in blander farmed salmon.

• Superior texture – Constant swimming against currents develops firm, flaky flesh with an ideal balance of fat Farm-raised texture is softer

• High in healthy omega-3s – Wild salmon deliver more heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA.

• Nutrient-dense – Wild salmon provides high-quality complete protein as well as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

With superior nutrition and eating quality, it’s easy to understand why wild commands a premium price over farmed salmon. Here are the best options for buying genuine wild caught salmon.

Buying Wild Salmon In-Person

Searching out wild salmon from local vendors lets you inspect the fish in person before purchasing:

• Fishmongers – Some independent fish shops and seafood stores source wild salmon when in season and sell it fresh chilled on ice. Knowledgeable staff can answer questions on sourcing, sustainability practices, and preparation techniques. Many fishmongers can also special order previously frozen wild salmon fillets or other cuts. Allow 1-2 weeks lead time for special orders.

• Grocery store seafood counter – National supermarket chains sometimes carry basic wild salmon cuts like fillets and steaks. While selection is limited compared to fishmongers, grocery stores often provide the lowest prices due to high volume purchasing.

• Fish markets – Large fish markets and warehouses may carry whole wild salmon in addition to a basic selection of fillets and steaks. Some also sell smoked or marinated wild salmon. However, availability is restricted to certain seasons when wild salmon is running.

The advantage of shopping locally is being able to personally inspect the fish before purchasing. The drawback is having a far more limited selection and inventory compared to buying wild salmon online.

Purchasing Wild Salmon Online

Ordering wild salmon online unlocks the full selection of what the market has to offer:

• Wider selection – Every species, cut, product form, and size of wild salmon is available from online seafood retailers and specialty sellers. This includes rare offerings like roe, caviar, smoked salmon, marinated or glazed fillets, portioned packs, and gift sets.

• Sustainability details – Reputable online seafood companies share detailed information on exactly where the salmon is caught, the species, and responsible fishing practices used. This level of traceability is harder to find in stores.

• Reviews – Customer feedback and reviews help identify the very best wild salmon providers with top-quality fish, fast shipping, and great service.

• Delivered frozen at peak freshness – Online wild salmon is vacuum-packed and flash frozen at sea shortly after being caught to lock in freshness. It arrives frozen with plenty of insulation and ice packs.

• No shopping required – Purchasing online means wild salmon gets delivered straight to your door with no trip needed to source it in person.

As long as you choose established sellers with proven freezing and overnight shipping methods, buying wild salmon online offers unparalleled convenience, selection, and guidance.

What to Look for When Buying Wild Salmon Online

Follow this checklist when purchasing wild salmon online to get the best quality fish:

• Reputable seller – Check customer reviews, satisfaction guarantees, years in business, and certifications. This ensures a company you can trust.

• Source details provided – The listing should note exactly where the salmon is caught, the species, and that it is wild not farmed.

• Processing date – Salmon processed within 1-3 days of being caught preserves the most freshness.

• Use by date – Look for sellers that provide a recommended use by or expiration date to guide your usage.

• Overnight shipping – To deliver frozen salmon in peak condition, overnight shipping with plenty of insulation is a must.

• Return policy – In case any salmon arrives spoiled or damaged, the ability to return for replacement gives peace of mind.

When these indicators of quality are present along with glowing customer reviews, you can confidently order wild salmon online.

Best Species of Wild Salmon to Buy

There are five major species of wild Pacific salmon plus Atlantic salmon found in the wild:

• King (Chinook) – The largest salmon with high fat content, giving it a delicate flavor and velvety texture. Most prized for eating quality.

• Sockeye – Vibrant deep red flesh with firm, meaty texture and rich flavor. The second most popular wild salmon.

• Coho – Medium levels of fat result in firm, juicy orange-pink meat with a delicate, milder taste.

• Keta (Chum) – Abundant light pink species with lower fat content and lighter flavor. More affordable option.

• Pink – Small, light pink salmon with very mild flavor. Often canned. Lowest cost wild variety.

• Atlantic – Virtually all wild Atlantic salmon today comes from Canada and Norway. Lean texture and mild taste.

Try different varieties of wild salmon to find your favorites. Avoid any unlabeled salmon, which is almost always farmed.

Buying Fresh vs. Frozen Wild Salmon

Should you buy wild salmon fresh or frozen? Here is how the two options compare:

Fresh wild salmon

• Ultimate freshness if eaten within 2 weeks of catching.

• Very limited seasonal availability when wild salmon is running.

• Most expensive due to high demand and short supply when available.

• Short shelf life means what you don’t eat quickly must be frozen.

Frozen wild salmon

• Frozen at sea when freshly caught, locking in taste and quality.

• Long shelf life of 12 months if kept consistently frozen.

• Lower cost because no premium for “fresh” status.

• Year-round availability – frozen stocks allow buying even when not in season.

For most buyers, frozen wild salmon delivers comparable quality, better value, and more convenience than fresh. The exception is when you live near a wild salmon run and can buy it direct off the fishing boats.

Canned Wild Salmon

Canning is another way to enjoy wild salmon year-round:

• Shelf-stable for 2+ years when sealed in BPA-free cans

• Added convenience as no thawing required before use

• Lower cost than fresh or frozen

• Nutrients and omega-3s locked in

• Lightly cook or use right from the can in salads, dips, and spreads

Look for simple ingredients like salmon, water, and salt. Avoid added fillers, vegetable oils, or chemical preservatives.

Smoked Wild Salmon

Gently smoking wild salmon infuses it with delicious smoky flavor:

• Intensifies the rich, savory taste

• Delicious eaten as-is with no cooking required

• Convenient slicing packs for salads, pizza, pasta, and more

• Lightly smoked retains moisture

Select wild smoked salmon cured only with salt and natural wood smoke – no chemical preservatives.

Sustainability Matters

When buying wild salmon, sustainability makes a difference:

• Alaskan salmon – Support Alaska’s pristine fisheries and strict catch limits.

• MSC certified – The blue MSC label verifies certified sustainable fishing practices were used.

• Line caught – This selective method prevents bycatch of other ocean species.

• Small fisheries – Choosing salmon from small-scale sustainable fishermen protects livelihoods.

• Indigenous groups – Seek out salmon from native tribes and cooperatives to support traditions.

Choosing salmon produced in ways that protect the oceans benefits everyone.

The Takeaway on Purchasing Wild Salmon

• Online seafood retailers – For unrivaled selection, delivery, and source information

• Local fishmongers – To personally select the salmon before buying

• Frozen – Typically delivers comparable quality and value as fresh salmon

• Canned – An affordable and convenient kitchen staple

No matter where you buy or what form you choose, wild salmon offers exceptional flavor and nutrition while supporting healthy oceans. Seek it out and taste the difference wild-caught makes!

Yes, Trader Joe’s offers wild-caught salmon. Specifically, they sell Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon fillets and Natural Wild Salmon Silver Coho Salmon Portions. They also have canned wild-caught sockeye and pink salmon.

Understanding Wild Salmon Seasons