Nerka \Ner"ka\, n. [Russ. niarka, prob. fr. native name.] (Zool.) The most important salmon of Alaska ({Oncorhinchus nerka}), ascending in spring most rivers and lakes from Alaska to Oregon, Washington, and Idaho; -- called also {red salmon}, {redfish}, {blueback}, and {sawqui}. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]