How Long Do Salmon Eggs Take to Hatch?

Pacific Salmon and Steelhead Life Histories

Salmon and steelhead can return from the ocean to their freshwater habitats to spawn at any time of the year. Migration times and distance can fluctuate greatly within species. The fish “runs” may differ by species, seasons, and locations (though most of these fish return to the streams where they were born). This information is essential for fisheries managers to estimate population sizes, harvest amounts, and design fisheries management plans. When planning and managing fisheries, predictions about the different ages of returning fish, population sizes, and escapement objectives are considered. The variability in ages of returning salmon affects how many return each year and is an important consideration in estimating how many salmon will return to spawn each year, and to estimate the stock and harvest amount for the season. The analysis and evaluation of the potential number of salmon in the fishery is therefore complicated due to the various ages when salmon return.

Some fish may migrate far, some species may stay in the rivers for a long time before spawning, and other fish may be quick to return and spawn. The list below describes different salmon and steelhead species, and life cycle information used in fisheries management.

Pink salmon are one of the fastest growing Pacific salmon species. After about 18 months in the ocean, pink salmon have reached maturity, and return to freshwater to spawn. Spawning occurs from August to October, when pink salmon are adult two-year-olds. Pink salmon mature and complete their life cycle in 2 years and this consistency has created distinct odd-year and even-year populations to use in planning their fisheries.

Chum salmon. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Chum salmon are usually the last of the Pacific salmon that return to freshwater to spawn. After 3 to 4 years in the ocean, chum salmon reach full maturity and migrate back to their spawning grounds. Chum salmon spawn from generally late October to March, with peak spawning in early winter when the higher water flows in rivers. However, in some areas they can return as early as August. Chum salmon complete their life cycle between 3 to 6 years. The variety in ages of returning chum salmon is important when estimating population sizes and harvest amounts for fishery plans.

Sockeye salmon. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Sockeye salmon mature and return to spawning grounds after 2 – 3 years in the ocean; some may stay longer and return after 4 – 5 years. Sockeye salmon spawn from July to late October when they are mature. Their lifespan is usually about 5 years; however, in the Pacific Northwest, sockeye salmon lifespan is more commonly 4 years. By understanding the general age of returning sockeye salmon, fishery managers can predict stock sizes and develop fishery proposals.

Chinook Salmon. Credit: Michael Humling/USFWS.

Chinook salmon can spend from 1 to 6 years growing in the ocean. Chinook salmon mature between the ages of 2 to 7; however, they are usually 3-4 years old when they return to spawn. The timing of when Chinook salmon migrate from the ocean to their spawning grounds divides Chinook salmon into four distinct population “runs”. These distinct populations are named for the season when most of the fish run return from the ocean to spawn: spring, summer, fall, or winter. Some Chinook salmon enter freshwater from the ocean and are ready to spawn soon after entering freshwater. Others come from the ocean and need to spend time maturing in freshwater before they are ready to spawn.

The distance and time it takes for Chinook salmon to migrate to their spawning grounds can range from relatively short to very long depending on the population. Knowledge of the varying distinct Chinook salmon populations, ages, and migration patterns can assist fishery managers in the estimation and reconstruction of populations, and plan fisheries.

Spring-run Chinook salmon return to their spawning grounds at different ages, from 3 to 5 years of age. The migration from the ocean to their spawning grounds begins in April through July, with peak migration occurring in May. Spawning begins in August and continues through early November.

Summer-run Chinook salmon may return to their spawning grounds from 2 to 5 years of age. Traveling back to their spawning grounds occurs from June to August. Spawning begins in late August until November.

Fall-run Chinook salmon are the most common group of Chinook salmon on the West Coast. Most fall-run Chinook salmon can spend 3-4 years in the ocean before migrating to their spawning grounds, however some can return at 2 or 5 years old. The journey to spawning grounds begins in late July, peaking in September, and ends in December. Spawning happens from October through December. The most common age of returning and spawning adults is 4 years old.

Winter-run Chinook salmon may return to their spawning grounds after 1 to 3 years in the ocean. The migration to their spawning grounds occurs from December through May, with peak migration in March. Spawning occurs from mid-April to early August.

Coho salmon. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Coho salmon remain in the ocean for about 18 months to 2 years, and begin their migration back to spawning grounds from September through December. Coho salmon spawn in November and December, and the lifespan of coho salmon is usually 3 to 4 years. However, some male coho reach maturity early and migrate back to freshwater streams as 2-year-old “jacks.” The “jack” returns may provide an estimate of adult abundance for the following year and assist in fishery plans.

Male and female steelhead. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Steelhead can spend from 1 to 4 years in the ocean before traveling to their spawning grounds. There are two general types of steelhead runs, named for the season when most of the fish run return from the ocean: winter and summer.

Winter-run Steelhead return from the ocean at age 4 or 5 years, and travel to their spawning grounds from November to April. Winter-run steelhead are very mature fish and begin spawning soon after they arrive.

Summer-run Steelhead usually return from the ocean at age 3 and migrate to their spawning grounds from April to September. The summer-run steelhead are typically immature fish and need several months of maturing in the freshwater before spawning.

Both steelhead stocks spawn from winter to early spring (January to April). The lifespan of steelhead varies from 5 up to 11 years.

Steelhead are different from Pacific salmon because steelhead do not all die once they spawn. Steelhead can survive after spawning and can migrate to the ocean and back to their spawning grounds again in the future, laying eggs more than once in their lifespan. The seasonal differences in steelhead migrations and multiple trips to spawning grounds are considered when predictions are made about the number of returning steelhead for the season and their fisheries management.

Learn more about Pacific salmon on the West Coast:

Life Cycle of Salmon

The life histories of different salmon stocks along the West Coast is diverse and complex. While all salmon exhibit the same general life cycle components, different types or stocks of salmon can vary widely in how those components actually occur, or for how long.

Adult salmon spawn in freshwater, where female salmon lay thousands of eggs that are fertilized by male salmon. Spawning can occur in spring, summer, fall, or winter and depends on the salmon species. After spawning, adult salmon die and their bodies provide nutrients for the freshwater ecosystem. Eggs are buried in gravel nests, called “redds,” and salmon can stay in their eggs for several weeks to months until they hatch. Once eggs hatch, the juvenile fish, called “fry,” can stay in the gravel nest to feed for 3-4 months. As juvenile salmon grow, they may remain in the freshwater rivers anywhere from a few hours to several years, depending on the species and other environmental factors. As juvenile salmon swim towards the ocean, they begin the process called smoltification–transitioning from living in freshwater to living in saltwater. The “smolts” may stay in estuaries from a few days to several weeks to feed, adapt, and prepare to enter the ocean.

Species of salmon can spend from 1 up to 6 years in the ocean as they mature and grow into adults. While in the ocean growing, salmon feed on small fish, squid, eels, and shrimp. When salmon are ready to reproduce, they migrate from the ocean back into freshwater rivers and streams to their spawning grounds. On their journey, they may encounter rapids, waterfalls, predators, and hydroelectric dams. Once salmon reach their freshwater spawning grounds, females dig a gravel nest, and the life cycle begins again.

Coho Salmon hatching!

FAQ

What time of year do salmon eggs hatch?

They bury their fertilized eggs under a foot of gravel in the redds and leave them over the winter. The eggs hatch in April and May.

What happens to female salmon after they lay eggs?

Adult salmon spawn in freshwater, where female salmon lay thousands of eggs that are fertilized by male salmon. Spawning can occur in spring, summer, fall, or winter and depends on the salmon species. After spawning, adult salmon die and their bodies provide nutrients for the freshwater ecosystem.

What is a 1 year old salmon called?

Salmon that reach maturity after one year at sea are called Grilse; these return to their river in summer weighing from 0.8 to 4kg.

What is the survival rate of salmon eggs?

Female salmon can lay between 1,000 to 17,000 eggs, but only around 15% will survive long enough to hatch. Ecology • Only about 1% of eggs live to adulthood. Eggs are an important food source for other fish, birds and insects.

How long do salmon eggs take to hatch?

Salmon eggs, also known as salmon roe, take approximately 60 to 150 days to hatch, depending on the water temperature. The ideal temperature for salmon egg incubation is between 10 to 12 degrees Celsius. During this time, the eggs undergo a process called eyed-eggs development where the eyes of the embryos become visible.

How long do fish eggs take to hatch?

While some fish eggs may take only a few days to hatch, others can take weeks or even months. Depending on their natural habitat and environmental conditions, they undergo various stages of development before emerging into the world as fully-formed little fish.

What happens when salmon eggs hatch?

The hatching of salmon eggs is a crucial stage in the salmon life cycle. Once the eggs hatch, the alevin, or young salmon, emerges from the eggshell and begins to feed on the remaining yolk sac. After this stage, the alevin grows into a fry and is ready to swim and feed on its own.

How many eggs can a salmon lay?

Female salmon can lay between 1,000 to 17,000 eggs, but only around 15% will survive long enough to hatch. Only about 1% of eggs live to adulthood. Eggs are an important food source for other fish, birds and insects. How long does it take a fish egg to hatch?

How long do salmon stay in eggs?

Eggs are buried in gravel nests, called “redds,” and salmon can stay in their eggs for several weeks to months until they hatch. Once eggs hatch, the juvenile fish, called “fry,” can stay in the gravel nest to feed for 3-4 months. How many eggs can a female salmon lay?

How many eggs can a Chinook salmon lay?

Female salmon can lay between 1,000 to 17,000 eggs, but only around 15% will survive long enough to hatch. Only about 1% of eggs live to adulthood. Eggs are an important food source for other fish, birds and insects. 70% of the weight from Chinook Salmon alevins comes from the yolk sac, the other 30% comes from the embryo.