Shad & Herring
Eulachon
Thaleichthys pacificus
AnadromousOsmeridaeVulnerable. Some populations are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act due to habitat loss, overfishing, and climate change.
About
Eulachon are small, slender fish characterized by their translucent appearance when alive and oily flesh. They are anadromous, undertaking mass migrations up rivers to spawn, often in early spring.
- Average size
- Approximately 6-10 inches (15-25 cm)
- Colors
- Silvery-blue to olive-brown on the back, with silvery sides and a white belly. They lack distinct markings.
- Diet
- Plankton, small crustaceans, and other small invertebrates in the ocean. During their spawning migration, adults generally do not feed.
- Region
- Pacific Northwest coast of North America, from Northern California to Alaska. Historically abundant in rivers of Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia.