Coho Salmon Migration Facts

Location/Distance

• These salmon are found in the Northern Pacific Ocean (between Russia and Alaska and includes Pacific coast of central California, Oregon, Washington, Canada and Aleutian Islands)

• They migrate from the ocean to the streams and then return.

• Anadromous - live in boh freshwater and saltwater environments
  
  

Mating

• Jack (early maturing coho salmon males) vs. Hooknoses (late maturing coho salmon males)

• Those are the two types of maturing that a male coho salmon can undergo depending on their environment.

• Semelparous - they die after spawning (laying eggs) once
  
  

Feeding

• Alvein - feed on sac

• Parrs and smolts - feed on krill and small fish

• Adults - feed on small fish
  
  

Migration Cues

• After smoltification, salmon migrate to the ocean to grow to full potential.

• When they develop into adults, they migrate to freshwater to spawn next progeny.
  
  

Navigational Mechanisms

• Olfactory senses and possibly magnetic field help guide the fish.

• The young are imprinted so they can remember senses from natal ground as an adult.