Landlocked salmon
Landlocked salmon are freshwater fish related to Atlantic salmon but do not migrate to saltwater. They are characterized by their slender, silver bodies, slightly forked tails, and two dorsal fins, averaging 16 to 18 inches in length and weighing between 1 to 1.5 pounds. Notable species include the landlocked sockeye salmon (Kokanee salmon), landlocked masu salmon, and the Atlantic salmon subspecies found in specific freshwater lakes. Originating from rivers in Maine, landlocked salmon are now present in various North American lakes, making them popular among anglers for sport fishing.
Unlike anadromous salmon, which migrate to the ocean and return to spawn, landlocked salmon remain in freshwater environments, returning only to rivers and streams for spawning. The female lays hundreds of eggs, which hatch into fry after about 150 days. These young salmon feed on aquatic insects and remain in their rivers for up to two years before moving back to lakes. The spawning run can be strenuous, and many fish do not survive the journey. With lifespans typically ranging from 5 to 7 years, some landlocked salmon can live up to 13 years.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Landlocked salmon
Landlocked salmon are considered one of the most exciting fish to catch. Scientists note that landlocked salmon and Atlantic salmon are similar, but landlocked salmon do not migrate to saltwater habitats.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Osteichthyes
Order: Salmoniformes
Family: Salmonidae
Genus: Various (see below)
Species: Various (see below)
Landlocked salmon are slender, silver fish with slightly forked tails that spend their lives in freshwater. Species include the landlocked sockeye salmon (Kokanee salmon), landlocked masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou formosanus), and Atlantic salmon subspecies Salmo salar sebago.
They average 16 to 18 inches long and 1 to 1 1/2 pounds. They have two dorsal fins, an anal fin, two pectoral fins, and two pelvic fins. The fins of landlocked salmon are made of thin membranes.
Landlocked salmon originated, or began, in four rivers in Maine—St. Croix River, Union River, Piscataquis River, and Presumpscot River. In 1907, a fisherman pulled a 22 1/2 pound (10 kilogram) landlocked salmon from Sebago Lake. While it is common to catch salmon weighing 9 to 10 pounds (about four kilograms), most are around two pounds (one kilogram). Landlocked salmon have been placed into other lakes in North America. They are popular with anglers, or fishermen, and often compared to anadromous salmon. An anadromous fish spends most of its time in the sea only returning to the freshwater stream to spawn.
Unlike other salmon that temporarily leave the ocean to spawn, landlocked salmon do not leave freshwater but return to the rivers and streams where they were born. The migration, or movement, of these fish from lakes to the rivers is called a spawning run. The female lays 600 to 700 eggs per pound of her body's weight on the lake's bottom, and the male fertilizes them. This process is known as spawning. After around 150 days, the eggs hatch. The hatched salmon, called fry, eat aquatic insects and other invertebrates. Young salmon remain in the rivers or streams for one to two years before returning to the lakes.
Due to the enormous energy required of the landlocked salmon during the spawning run, many die during the migration upriver. The diet of landlocked salmon consists of smelts, young alewives, sticklebacks, yellow perch, and minnows.
The lifespan of landlocked salmon depends on the species but is usually 5 to 7 years. Some have lived to 13 years.
Bibliography
"Landlocked Salmon." Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/fisheries/species-information/landlocked-salmon.html. Accessed 1 May 2024.
"Landlocked Atlantic Salmon." Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, vtfishandwildlife.com/learn-more/vermont-critters/fish/land-locked-salmon. Accessed 1 May 2024.