Orange Steelhead Salmon eggs
When can salmon be seen migrating to their spawning area?
Most Pacific salmon can be seen migrating from spring though fall, depending on the species. Most adult Atlantic salmon migrate up the rivers of New England beginning in spring and continuing through the fall as well, with the migration peaking in June.
Learn more: Western Fisheries Research Center - Questions and Answers about Salmon
Related
Are salmon endangered worldwide? Are salmon endangered worldwide?
No, salmon are not endangered worldwide. For example, most populations in Alaska are healthy. Some populations in the Pacific Northwest are much healthier than others. These healthy populations usually occupy protected habitats such as the Hanford Reach on the Columbia River and streams of Olympic National Park. Learn more: Western Fisheries Research Center - Questions and Answers about Salmon
How do salmon know where their home is when they return from the ocean? How do salmon know where their home is when they return from the ocean?
Salmon come back to the stream where they were 'born' because they 'know' it is a good place to spawn; they won't waste time looking for a stream with good habitat and other salmon. Scientists believe that salmon navigate by using the earth’s magnetic field like a compass. When they find the river they came from, they start using smell to find their way back to their home stream. They build their...
How far do salmon travel? How far do salmon travel?
Salmon first travel from their home stream to the ocean, which can be a distance of hundreds of miles. Once they reach the ocean, they might travel an additional 1,000 miles to reach their feeding grounds. Learn more: Western Fisheries Research Center - Questions and Answers about Salmon
How long do salmon usually live? How long do salmon usually live?
Most salmon species live 2 to 7 years (4 to 5 average). Steelhead trout can live up to about 11 years. Learn more: Western Fisheries Research Center - Questions and Answers about Salmon
How many species of salmon are there and how large can they get? How many species of salmon are there and how large can they get?
There are seven species of Pacific salmon. Five of them occur in North American waters: chinook, coho, chum, sockeye, and pink. Masu and amago salmon occur only in Asia. There is one species of Atlantic salmon. Chinook/King salmon are the largest salmon and get up to 58 inches (1.5 meters) long and 126 pounds (57.2 kg). Pink salmon are the smallest at up to 30 inches (0.8 meters) long and 12...
Where are salmon most endangered? Where are salmon most endangered?
Certain populations of sockeye salmon, coho salmon, chinook salmon, and Atlantic salmon are listed as endangered. Sockeye salmon from the Snake River system are probably the most endangered salmon. Coho salmon in the lower Columbia River may already be extinct. Salmon are not endangered worldwide. For example, most populations in Alaska are healthy. Some populations in the Pacific Northwest are...
Steelhead Salmon eggs in beaker
Orange Steelhead Salmon eggs
Salmon eggs
Bright orange salmon eggs.
Bright orange salmon eggs.
Image of Sockeye salmon
Image of sockeye salmon. Photo provided by Milton Love, Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Image of sockeye salmon. Photo provided by Milton Love, Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara.
PubTalk 2/2015 — Undamming Washington's Elwha River
PubTalk 2/2015 — Undamming Washington's Elwha Riverby Amy East USGS Research Geologist
- Hear about river response to the largest dam removal in history.
- Causing disturbance as a means of restoration: how well does it work?
- Will legendary salmon runs return?
PubTalk 2/2015 — Undamming Washington's Elwha River
PubTalk 2/2015 — Undamming Washington's Elwha Riverby Amy East USGS Research Geologist
- Hear about river response to the largest dam removal in history.
- Causing disturbance as a means of restoration: how well does it work?
- Will legendary salmon runs return?
A Time to Spawn
Salmon and steelhead migrating through Bonnerville Dam.
Salmon and steelhead migrating through Bonnerville Dam.
Related
Are salmon endangered worldwide? Are salmon endangered worldwide?
No, salmon are not endangered worldwide. For example, most populations in Alaska are healthy. Some populations in the Pacific Northwest are much healthier than others. These healthy populations usually occupy protected habitats such as the Hanford Reach on the Columbia River and streams of Olympic National Park. Learn more: Western Fisheries Research Center - Questions and Answers about Salmon
How do salmon know where their home is when they return from the ocean? How do salmon know where their home is when they return from the ocean?
Salmon come back to the stream where they were 'born' because they 'know' it is a good place to spawn; they won't waste time looking for a stream with good habitat and other salmon. Scientists believe that salmon navigate by using the earth’s magnetic field like a compass. When they find the river they came from, they start using smell to find their way back to their home stream. They build their...
How far do salmon travel? How far do salmon travel?
Salmon first travel from their home stream to the ocean, which can be a distance of hundreds of miles. Once they reach the ocean, they might travel an additional 1,000 miles to reach their feeding grounds. Learn more: Western Fisheries Research Center - Questions and Answers about Salmon
How long do salmon usually live? How long do salmon usually live?
Most salmon species live 2 to 7 years (4 to 5 average). Steelhead trout can live up to about 11 years. Learn more: Western Fisheries Research Center - Questions and Answers about Salmon
How many species of salmon are there and how large can they get? How many species of salmon are there and how large can they get?
There are seven species of Pacific salmon. Five of them occur in North American waters: chinook, coho, chum, sockeye, and pink. Masu and amago salmon occur only in Asia. There is one species of Atlantic salmon. Chinook/King salmon are the largest salmon and get up to 58 inches (1.5 meters) long and 126 pounds (57.2 kg). Pink salmon are the smallest at up to 30 inches (0.8 meters) long and 12...
Where are salmon most endangered? Where are salmon most endangered?
Certain populations of sockeye salmon, coho salmon, chinook salmon, and Atlantic salmon are listed as endangered. Sockeye salmon from the Snake River system are probably the most endangered salmon. Coho salmon in the lower Columbia River may already be extinct. Salmon are not endangered worldwide. For example, most populations in Alaska are healthy. Some populations in the Pacific Northwest are...
Steelhead Salmon eggs in beaker
Orange Steelhead Salmon eggs
Orange Steelhead Salmon eggs
Salmon eggs
Bright orange salmon eggs.
Bright orange salmon eggs.
Image of Sockeye salmon
Image of sockeye salmon. Photo provided by Milton Love, Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Image of sockeye salmon. Photo provided by Milton Love, Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara.
PubTalk 2/2015 — Undamming Washington's Elwha River
PubTalk 2/2015 — Undamming Washington's Elwha Riverby Amy East USGS Research Geologist
- Hear about river response to the largest dam removal in history.
- Causing disturbance as a means of restoration: how well does it work?
- Will legendary salmon runs return?
PubTalk 2/2015 — Undamming Washington's Elwha River
PubTalk 2/2015 — Undamming Washington's Elwha Riverby Amy East USGS Research Geologist
- Hear about river response to the largest dam removal in history.
- Causing disturbance as a means of restoration: how well does it work?
- Will legendary salmon runs return?
A Time to Spawn
Salmon and steelhead migrating through Bonnerville Dam.
Salmon and steelhead migrating through Bonnerville Dam.
Updated Date: June 27, 2022