Migration Habits of the Alaska Coho

The Alaskan Coho salmon are small silver salmon that are a primary source of income for the Alaskan fishermen community. The average Alaskan coho weighs around 8 lbs. and generally grows under 2 feet in length. Alaskan coho are not limited to living and spawning in Alaska. The Alaskan coho and other coho species are typically found in the Pacific Northwest and reach as far as Hokkaido, Japan, and their migrating habits are typical for the salmon species.

  1. Spawning Habits

    • The Alaskan coho, like all salmon species, tend to spawn in riverbeds and streams along coastlines. Alaskan coho salmon are also known for traveling large distances to migrate, 2,000 miles from the sea in some cases, to spawn in interior rivers. Alaskan coho live for about a year on average in streams that have overhanging vegetation, which is what they eat; they defend this area very aggressively. Alaskan coho change colors when they spawn, going from silver to deep red on their sides, with green and black covering the spine and back of the fish.

    Migration Patterns

    • Alaskan coho salmon migrate to the ocean after they spend a year or so in the riverbeds or streams; they remain in the river mouth for a few months before they begin their migration to the ocean. Once they have reached the ocean, they'll typically spend two to three years there. Alaskan coho will stay relatively local to their spawning grounds or travel far distances. Alaskan coho salmon usually travel in a counterclockwise rotation along the northern Pacific Ocean and migrate north into the Bering Sea as the temperatures in the waters increase during the summer months.

    Smolting Habits

    • Salmon must physically develop before migration, because if they migrated before they were fully developed they would die during the migration process. It is during this maturation process that smolting occurs; smolting is the term used when young salmon physically develop into adulthood for migration. Alaskan coho salmon typically gather in small schools (groups) when smolting and typically migrate to the ocean around mid to early May. However, Alaskan coho stay close to their home streams, spending their final months there before they travel out to sea after reaching adulthood.

    Fry Habits

    • The fry habits of the Alaskan coho salmon are typical for salmon. As an Alaskan coho salmon develops, it swims into faster, more dangerous rivers and streams in search of food; this process is known as the "fry" period for salmon. They typically prefer streams with large logs, rocks and other brush. Alaskan coho salmon also spawn only once and usually return to their original stream, where they die.