 Chinook Salmon (OSU Extension)
|
- Distribution includes coast and Columbia Basin mainstem rivers
- Juveniles migrate to the ocean the first fall after they hatch, rearing briefly in estuaries
- They rear over a broad ocean area, ranging from northern California to the Gulf of Alaska.
- Adults, typically three to five years old, return to fresh water in the spring, summer or fall
- Spring and summer migrants prefer deep, cool pools where they hold several months before fall spawning
- Adults spawn in large concentrations on mainstem gravel bars; may use both upper and lower mainstems
|
 Chum Salmon (OSU Extension)
|
- Shortest freshwater residence of all salmon. Adults stay only about a week prior to spawning; juveniles migrate to the ocean hours after hatching
- Juveniles rear briefly in estuaries
- Most Oregon chum migrate to the Gulf of Alaska for ocean rearing
- Adults spawn at three to five years of age
- Spawning occurs in lower mainstems, concentrated on large gravel bars
- Adults are unable to pass even minor barriers
|
 Cutthroat Trout (OSU Extension)
|
- Some coastal cutthroat migrate to the ocean. But others may migrate only to the estuary or river mainstems, or they may not migrate at all
- Those that do go to the ocean migrate out in the spring, stay only a few months close to shore, then return in the fall
- The ones that migrate may rear in fresh water for several years before going to the ocean
- They spawn in the winter and early spring, using small pockets of gravel. They may spawn more than once. The spawning age of cutthroats seems to vary over their distribution area
- Cutthroat prefer the smallest, highest tributaries in a basin
|
 Steelhead (OSU Extension)
|
- There are two subspecies of steelhead in Oregon. Each also has a resident form. Coastal steelhead are closely related to rainbow trout. Inland steelhead are closely related to redband trout
- Most juveniles rear in fresh water for one or two years and migrate to the ocean in the spring
- Most steelhead spend two years in the ocean. Their distribution is poorly known but appears to be further off-shore than other salmon
- Most inland steelhead return to fresh water in the summer while most (but not all) coastal steelhead return in the winter
- Summer-run steelhead require cold deep pools where they hold until spawning. All steelhead spawn in the winter and may spawn more than once
|
