Photo & video credits: Peter Mieras, Florian Graner, Ryan Miller
Hundreds of millions of juvenile salmon are now rearing in freshwater ecosystems across British Columbia to prepare for their journey to the ocean. Depending on the species, salmon may be in the alevin or fry phase of their life cycle.
Like many fish, salmon hatch alone without parental care. In the months leading up to their hatching, millions of adult Pacific salmon return to their natal streams to spawn after up to five years in the ocean. They die soon after spawning, leaving thousands of eggs nestled in gravel beds. However, steelhead are a notable exception among salmonids, as they can survive spawning and migrate to and from the ocean multiple times.
The early life stages of Pacific salmon
When salmon hatch in early spring, they are referred to as alevins. At this stage, they remain hidden in their gravel redd (nest), absorbing nutrients from yolk sac attached to their abdomens. Once fully developed, the alevin emerges and transitions into the fry stage – its first introduction to the world beyond its redd.
This freshwater phase is critical. In these early months, salmon imprint on their home streams so they can navigate back as adults. At the same time, fry must quickly learn to evade predators while searching for food. Their colours and distinctive markings help them blend into their surroundings while they forage for insects and zooplankton. Only a tiny fraction will survive – in fact, fry are 100 to 1,000 times more abundant than the adult salmon that return to spawn, according to the Pacific Salmon Field Guide.
Did you know different species follow unique outmigration patterns and timelines? Chinook, coho, and steelhead fry often travel downstream to settle in calm waters until they are ready to migrate, while sockeye move into their nursery lake for the next year. On the other hand, pink and chum head downstream immediately after emerging from the gravel and reach the ocean within days.
Salmon become smolts when they enter estuaries and begin the transition to seawater. This challenging migration, undertaken by fewer than 1% of all fish species, gives salmon access to more abundant food in the ocean. Smolts lose their muted colours, develop a sleek silver sheen, and adapt their gills and kidneys to regulate salt balance. To reduce predation, they migrate downstream in large schools — often at night or during high water flows — before reaching the ocean between February and May.
Supporting the outmigration of juvenile salmon
This epic migration journey would not be possible without healthy freshwater ecosystems to support juvenile salmon in their in their first days. Clean, cool water and intact habitats are essential for their early development. By protecting these environments, we help ensure the future of Pacific salmon for generations to come. Scroll through the stories below to learn how local habitat restoration efforts support juvenile salmon.
The Kitsumkalum Band used to see juvenile salmon becoming trapped in isolated ponds during freshet, when the Skeena River floods with heavy rain and snowmelt. In response, community members began rescuing around 3,000 stranded coho annually in the Exchamsiks River Protected Area, west of Terrace. With support from PSF’s Community Salmon Program and in-kind partners, the Kitsumkalum Band created a new stream channel to reconnect the ponds to the Exchamsiks River, ensuring juvenile salmon have a safe passage to and from the main river system every spring.
In Hiłsyaqƛis (Tranquil Creek), near Tofino, ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) First Nation and Redd Fish Restoration Society recently leveraged PSF grants to install 13 massive wood structures in the river. These engineered log jams mimic the role of fallen old-growth trees by supporting natural watershed processes, helping to sort sediment, slow water flow, and store groundwater through the summer. By creating deep pools and eddies, they provide essential refuge for juvenile salmon to hide, rest, and feed during their outmigration.
Young salmon also rely on healthy eelgrass, kelp, and marsh habitats for food and shelter as they transition through nearshore environments on their way to the ocean. However, efforts to restore these vital habitats have been hindered by a lack of coordination and shared best practices. To bridge this gap, PSF’s Marine Science program is convening experts and gathering resources to develop an open-access restoration hub, equipping local stewards with the tools and data needed for effective habitat restoration.
Join us in helping restore salmon year-round
With your ongoing support, we can ensure essential funding for restoration projects, helping young salmon currently rearing in B.C. streams receive the cool, clean water and healthy habitat they need to thrive.
