Salmon Migration

Salmon are born in freshwater rivers and streams. As young fish, they swim downstream to the ocean, where they grow for several years. When it is time to lay eggs, they make an incredible journey back to the exact stream where they were born. This journey is called a salmon run, and it is one of nature's most amazing events.

Swimming Against the Current

Salmon swim upstream against strong river currents to reach their spawning grounds. They leap over waterfalls and fight their way through rapids. Some salmon travel more than 900 miles to reach their home streams. They use their sense of smell to find the exact spot where they hatched years earlier.

Salmon and the Ecosystem

Salmon are a key part of many ecosystems. Bears, eagles, and other animals depend on salmon as a food source. When salmon die after spawning, their bodies add nutrients to the river and surrounding forest. Dams, pollution, and habitat loss have hurt salmon populations. Fish ladders and dam removals are helping salmon reach their spawning grounds.

Fun Facts

• Salmon can leap up to 12 feet high to jump over waterfalls during their migration!
• A female salmon can lay between 2,000 and 10,000 eggs in the gravel of a riverbed.
• Bears in Alaska catch salmon right out of the air as the fish leap upstream.

Did You Know?

Salmon can smell their home stream from the ocean, even though they have been away for years!