Salmon River
Restoration Council
Salmon River Steelhead Life
Cycle
Fry
Parr
Juvenile id
Steelhead fry average 1~1 1/2 in.
and parr average 3~4 in.
Parr marks rounder than a Salmon and are also found
on the medial dorsal (top of "head") area.
White tip on the spotted dorsal fin, 1st ray is
black on the fry.
Dorsal fin base wider than anal fin’s base
Adipose fin usually has a continuous rim of color
or nearly so
On the parr, the maxillary (upper lip) doesn't
extend past the back of the eye
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Steelhead spread their spawning migrations over a
long period, historically entering streams throughout the year. Like the
Chinook, there are currently at least 2 distinct run types left: Summer and
Fall Steelhead. Summer steelies return to the river sexually immature
beginning in April and hole up in deep pools of cold tributary streams
waiting until late fall/winter to commence spawning. They share the same
needs as Coho for the smaller size spawning streams, but tend to go higher
up in the tributaries. Winter Steelhead populations have not been as well
documented but we know they usually enter the river between December and
March and usually spawn immediately upon returning. Fingerling Steelhead
remain in the freshwater longer than our other Salmonids, migrating out to
the ocean after 2, or even 3, years. Half-pounders are small,
sexually immature Steelhead that return to freshwater after spending less
then a year in the ocean and are unique to Northern California and Southern
Oregon populations.
Recent studies show that some native
rainbow Trout become Steelhead under certain conditions.
Steelhead
populations on the Pacific west coast have been steadily declining for the
last 30 years, with the summer run being very low. The 2000/2001 season for
Summer Steelhead began an upward cycle though note, only 344 total were
counted. The consequences of the very low, warm water of '02 will be seen
for years to come.
The chart includes "half pounders" in
the totals
(see definition above)
The 2006 number is an estimation due to inability to survey 35% of the river
because of wildfires.
In 2005 there were 145 half pounders counted.
In 2004 there were 284 half pounders counted.
In 2003 there were 176 half pounders counted.
In 2002 there were 351 half pounders counted.
In 2001 there were 357 half pounders counted.
In 2000 there were 169 half pounders counted.
Link Back to
Fisheries Page
Link to Spring
Chinook Page
Link to Fall
Chinook Page
Salmon
River Restoration Council