Anadromous Fish Species
Anadromous fish are born in freshwater, migrate to the ocean to grow, and return to rivers to spawn — completing one of nature's most remarkable journeys. Salmon, steelhead, striped bass, and shad are the most famous members of this group. Targeting anadromous fish requires timing runs precisely, understanding river systems, and often traveling to specific waterways when fish are actively moving. The runs are predictable by season but vary year to year based on water temperature and flow. This library covers the key anadromous species found in North American waters.
8 species in this category
Atlantic Salmon
The king of gamefish. Sea-run populations on both sides of the North Atlantic.
Chinook Salmon
Largest Pacific salmon species, also called king salmon. Trophy fish of the Paci…
Chum Salmon
Also called dog salmon. Strong fighter with impressive teeth during spawning run…
Coho Salmon
Silver salmon with bright flesh. Popular on the Pacific Northwest troll.
Pink Salmon
The most abundant Pacific salmon. Two-year lifecycle with humpbacked males durin…
Sockeye Salmon
Prized for its firm red flesh. Smallest but most sought-after commercial Pacific…
Steelhead
Sea-run rainbow trout. Great Lakes and Pacific populations. Fly angler's holy gr…
Striped Bass
Anadromous striper that runs coastal rivers and lives in saltwater. Prized East …
Log your anadromous catches in FishLog
The FishLog app has the full species database plus a personal catch log — species, weight, length, GPS location, and photos. Free for iOS and Android.
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