Should I rinse salmon before baking?

The answer

No. Rinsing is not needed, and splashing can spread bacteria around the sink and the rest of the kitchen. Instead, pat the fillet dry with paper towels, which also helps seasoning stick and lets the oven brown the surface rather than steam it. If you want to season ahead, salt the dried fish and keep it in the refrigerator, then pat away any moisture that appears before baking.