|
Atlantic Salmon
World Record ~ 79 Lbs 2 oz. Caught in the Tana River, Norway in 1928 by Henrik Henriksen Scientific name ~ Salmo Salar Other names ~ Grilse, Grilt, fiddler, Sea run fish, Kennebec Salmon, Laks, lohi Identification ~ An Atlantic Salmon has a head that seems small for its body. The Atlantic Salmon Has a long, slim body with an almost square tail. In the ocean the Atlantic Salmon is dark blue along the top of its head and back. Their sides are a shiny silver with the belly being white. The fins are dark and there numerous black marks on its head and along its upper body. When it enters the river to spawn it turns a dull brown or yellowish. Size ~ The Atlantic Salmon is the second largest of all salmon and can live for 8 years. Most salmon caught by anglers are 20 Lbs or less with the occasional fish being over 30 Lbs. The world record was just over 79 Lbs. Habitat ~ The Atlantic Salmon is found in the Atlantic ocean's northern hemisphere and its tributaries. They spend most of their adult lives in the ocean, returning to freshwater streams and rivers only to spawn. Recently there has been the occasional Atlantic Salmon caught in the Pacific North West. These are escaped Salmon from the ocean pens in the fish farms. Feeding Habits ~ The Atlantic Salmon feeds on smaller fish such as smelt, herring, alewives, capelin, cod, and mackerel. They also feed on crustaceans
Most Atlantic Salmon caught by sport fishermen are caught in their spawning rivers and streams or in the ocean close to shore as they approach their spawning grounds.
|
|