The "king of fish" — a powerful silvery salmon that once supported massive fisheries from New England to Greenland. Wild populations in the contiguous US are now endangered and limited to a handful of Maine rivers.

Also called: Atlantic Salmon, Salmon

Native status: Native; endangered in US waters

§ Quick facts

SizeAdult length 50–90 cm (20–35 in); sea-run grilse smaller
Weight3.5–9 kg (8–20 lb); record 47 kg
Lifespan6–8 years
OrderSalmoniformes
FamilySalmonidae

§ Encyclopedia

The Atlantic salmon is a species of ray-finned fish in the family Salmonidae. It is the third largest of the Salmonidae, behind Siberian taimen and Pacific Chinook salmon, growing up to 1 m (3.3 ft) in length. Atlantic salmon are found in the northern Atlantic Ocean and in rivers that flow into it. Most populations are anadromous, hatching in streams and rivers but moving out to sea as they grow where they mature, after which the adults seasonally move upstream again to spawn.

Source: Wikipedia — Atlantic salmon Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Silvery body with small black spots; spawning males develop hooked jaw and reddish hues. Long forked tail.

Similar species. Brown Trout (introduced; usually no marine phase). Pacific salmon species (don't survive spawning).

Voice. Silent.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. At sea: capelin, herring, sand lance. Stops feeding upon entering fresh water for spawn.

Behavior. Anadromous; unlike Pacific salmon, can survive after spawning. Returns to natal streams across the Atlantic.

§ Range

North Atlantic; wild US populations restricted to Maine

§ Habitat

Anadromous: rivers to spawn, ocean as adults

§ Threats

Dams blocking migration, hatchery escapement diluting wild gene pools, ocean warming, historical overfishing.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the atlantic salmon is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support dam removals on US East Coast salmon rivers. Buy wild-certified salmon. Donate to Atlantic Salmon Federation.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • NOAA Fisheries
  • Atlantic Salmon Federation
  • USFWS
  • IUCN Red List 2014