Trout & Salmon
Salmon
Oncorhynchus (Pacific salmon) and Salmo (Atlantic salmon)
BothSalmonidaeVaries by species and population; some are endangered or threatened, while others are relatively stable.
About
Salmon are anadromous fish, meaning they are born in freshwater, migrate to the ocean to grow, and return to freshwater to reproduce. They typically have streamlined bodies, a forked tail, and a small adipose fin. Their coloration varies depending on the species and life stage.
- Average size
- 18-36 inches, 8-25 lbs (varies greatly by species)
- Colors
- Silver in the ocean; breeding adults often develop red, pink, or olive hues with darker spots.
- Diet
- Juveniles eat insects, zooplankton, and small crustaceans in freshwater; adults consume other fish, squid, and crustaceans in the ocean.
- Region
- Pacific Northwest (Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California) and Northeast (Atlantic salmon in Maine)
