In 1956, pink salmon were accidentally brought into Lake Superior. They quickly established a population that spread across the Great Lakes and is still there today. Pink salmon in the Great Lakes are the only species known to live their whole lives in fresh water.
Pink salmon are the smallest of the Pacific salmon found in North America weighing on average between 3. 5 and 5 pounds, with an average length of 20-25 inches. As with all members of the salmon family, pink salmon are coldwater fish. They are also the most common type of Pacific salmon. Since the late 1800s, Alaskans have caught and canned them for sale. Young pink salmon are completely silver without any dark vertical bars or spots. In the ocean, adults are bright greenish-blue on top and silvery on its sides. They have very small scales and pink flesh. As adults get closer to going back to fresh water, they get a lot of big black spots on their backs and tails. When pinks get close to where they spawn, the males’ backs turn brown to black, and their bellies turn bright white. Their bellies are bright white at birth, but they turn olive green and have dark bars or patches that can be lavender or dark gold. Males have a very big hump and hooked jaws called a kype by the time they get to the stream where they will spawn.
Pink salmon have the shortest lifespan of all the Pacific salmon found in North America. They mature and complete their entire life cycle in two years. This predictable two-year life cycle has created genetically distinct odd-year and even-year populations of pink salmon. Fish coming in odd years are unrelated to the individuals returning in even years. People from odd and even years don’t breed with each other, even when they go back to the same spawning grounds. Many times individual streams will tend to have one of the populations (odd-year or even-year) producing more fish. However, in some streams both odd and even years produce about the same number of pink salmon. Occasionally this will shift, and the previously weak year will become the most abundant.
When pink salmon fry come up from the gravel at the river’s bottom, they swim to the ocean. Once there, they begin feeding plankton, larval fishes, and occasional aquatic insects. They become adults after 18 months of feeding and growing in saltwater. Between late June and mid-October, they spawn in the river where they were born. Males get the huge bump on their backs and a bigger head with big teeth that they use in fights with other males. The female finds a good spot to nest and builds a nest in the river bed by lying on her side and digging a shallow hole with her body and tail. As she settles into the hole to deposit her eggs, a male joins her to fertilize them. A female can dig up to four nests and lay eggs in them. As she digs new ones, she covers the ones she has already dug. A group of nests is known as a redd. A female stays and defends her redd until she dies, usually within two weeks. Males leave to try and fertilize other eggs. The eggs incubate over winter and hatch in late winter or early spring. Young salmon fry, called alevin, live under the gravel and eat the yolk sac that is attached to their bellies. They keep growing until they are big enough to come out and swim to the ocean.
Since young pink salmon migrate immediately to the ocean, they generally do not eat as they leave freshwater. Some populations of pink salmon spawn much further up big rivers. As they make their way to saltwater, young pink salmon may eat aquatic insects. In the ocean, pink salmon feed on plankton, other smaller fish, squid, and the occasional aquatic insect. The tiny marine crustaceans pink salmon eat are what give their flesh its pink color. As with all members of the salmon family, when they return to freshwater to spawn, they stop eating.
Pink salmon generally spawn in small rivers near the coast, and in estuaries near the mouths of rivers. Most pink salmon do not travel farther than 40 miles up a river to spawn. In Alaska, though, they have been seen to travel farther on bigger rivers like the Yukon, Kuskokwim, and Nushagak. In Southcentral Alaska, pink salmon have been documented going as far as 130 miles up the Susitna River. On the Mulchatna River, pink salmon have gone as far as 250 miles upstream before spawning.
Pink salmon that are young come out of the gravel and move to saltwater. They stay in estuaries and along the beaches in groups called schools. Over time, they start to spend more time feeding in deeper waters outside of Alaska, like the Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands.
Pink salmon are found along the Pacific rim of Asia and in North America. There are wild pink salmon populations along the coasts of the North Pacific Ocean, the Arctic Ocean, and other nearby seas. In North America, pink salmon have been found as far south as north-central California. However, they don’t have many babies below Puget Sound in Washington State. They live from the Lena River in Siberia in the west to Korea and Kyushu, Japan, in the south.
From the early 1900s to the 1970s, people tried to move pink salmon to northern Europe, northern America, and even Chile. Most of these efforts have not been successful. They were accidentally brought to Lake Superior in 1956, but they lived and became a population that spread across the Great Lakes and is still there today. This population is the only known place where a three-year-old pink salmon has been seen. It is the first known population to live its whole life cycle in fresh water.
Pink salmon are found all along the coast of Alaska. There are none in the upper Copper River drainage and only a few in the Copper River delta.
Humpy salmon, also known as pink salmon or Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, are a fascinating species of fish found throughout the Pacific Ocean. As an avid angler and outdoor enthusiast, I’ve had the pleasure of catching these unique salmon many times. In this article, I’ll provide a complete guide to humpy salmon covering their biology, habitat, fishing tips, conservation status and more.
Humpy salmon are the smallest and most abundant of the seven Pacific salmon species They earn the nickname “humpy” thanks to the large humps that develop on the backs of spawning males Other common names for this fish include pink salmon and humpback salmon.
Humpies belong to the family Salmonidae and genus Oncorhynchus. They are anadromous, meaning they hatch in freshwater migrate to the ocean to feed and grow, then return to freshwater to spawn.
Two key facts about humpy salmon:
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They only live for two years, and each generation comes back to spawn on either an odd or an even year. This prevents interbreeding between generations.
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They are the most abundant salmon species, with annual commercial harvests over 100 million fish. In Alaska, humpies make up 69% of the total salmon catch.
Now that we’ve covered some humpy salmon basics, let’s look at their biology and habitat in more detail.
Humpy Salmon Biology
Humpy salmon are small in size compared to other salmon species. They reach lengths of up to 30 inches and weights of around 5-15 pounds.
These fish have bright silver sides and bellies while at sea. When they return to freshwater to spawn, their color changes to pale grey on the back and yellowish-white on the belly. Some turn an overall dull green.
Mature males develop the signature humps on their backs and large hooked jaws. They also grow large canine-like teeth.
Some key aspects of humpy salmon biology:
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Diet – Plankton and small fish in the ocean. They don’t eat when returning to spawn.
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Lifespan – Spend 1-2 years in the ocean then return to freshwater to spawn and die.
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Reproduction – Females create nests called redds and lay 1,000-2,000 eggs. Different males fertilize each clutch.
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Migration – Travel thousands of miles from natal streams to rich feeding grounds and back.
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Predators – Bears, eagles, seals and other fish prey on humpies, especially while migrating.
Humpy Salmon Habitat and Range
Humpy salmon live throughout nearshore marine waters and coastal rivers along the Pacific Rim. Their native range stretches from Northern California to Korea and Japan.
Within this vast region, humpies are most abundant in Alaska. Major populations spawn in coastal rivers such as the Copper River and throughout Southeast Alaska.
After hatching, the young salmon migrate out to sea to feed. They spend 1-2 years roaming vast distances to rich feeding areas like the Gulf of Alaska. Excellent ocean survival leads to abundant returns.
When it’s time to spawn, humpies make the epic journey back to their natal streams. Using their sense of smell, they navigate back to the exact place they hatched.
Spawning habitat consists of clean gravel streams and intertidal zones. These fish are remarkably hardy and even spawn in rocky coastal tide pools.
Fishing for Humpy Salmon
Many anglers specifically target humpy salmon due to their aggressive bites, aerial acrobatics, and sheer numbers. Let’s go over the best ways to catch them:
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Tackle – Medium weight spinning rods with 10-15 lb line are perfect for humpies. Use baits like spoons, spinners and flies to entice reaction bites.
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Technique – Cast across stream currents and vary your retrieves until you find what triggers strikes. Fishing near mouths of tributaries is very productive.
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Best Times – Target migrating fish in late summer and fall as they return to spawn. Fishing is excellent from July-September.
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Hot Spots – Streams near Anchorage, Juneau, Sitka and Kodiak offer awesome humpy fishing. The Kenai and Copper Rivers produce trophy humpies over 10 lbs.
With their aggressive strikes and aerial jumps, humpies put up a great fight on light tackle. Keep them in the water when handling and release them to keep spawning runs healthy.
Humpy Salmon Conservation
In general, humpy salmon are doing well throughout their native range. Their two year lifecycle allows populations to rebound quickly if conditions are favorable.
However, habitat loss, overfishing and climate change all pose threats. For example, pink salmon in California are listed as endangered by the state.
Fortunately, ongoing conservation efforts aim to protect these fish into the future. Some key initiatives include:
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Managing commercial fisheries to ensure adequate spawning escapement.
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Restoring damaged spawning and rearing habitat in rivers.
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Counting salmon at weirs and sonar sites to monitor run strength.
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Operating hatchery programs responsibly to supplement natural production.
We can all help conserve humpy salmon by practicing responsible catch and release fishing. Future generations of anglers will thank us!
Key Takeaways on Humpy Salmon
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Humpy salmon get their nickname from the large humps that spawning males develop. They are also known as pink salmon.
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They are the smallest and most abundant of the Pacific salmon species.
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Strict two year lifecycle with generations spawning in alternate years.
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Feed in the ocean then return to natal streams to spawn and die.
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Range throughout Pacific Rim from Northern California to Japan and Korea.
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Popular sport fish due to their aggressive bites and aerial acrobatics when hooked.
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Ongoing conservation efforts aim to protect humpy salmon populations into the future.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Jump to species:
In 1956, pink salmon were accidentally brought into Lake Superior. They quickly established a population that spread across the Great Lakes and is still there today. Pink salmon in the Great Lakes are the only species known to live their whole lives in fresh water.
Pink salmon are the smallest of the Pacific salmon found in North America weighing on average between 3. 5 and 5 pounds, with an average length of 20-25 inches. As with all members of the salmon family, pink salmon are coldwater fish. They are also the most common type of Pacific salmon. Since the late 1800s, Alaskans have caught and canned them for sale. Young pink salmon are completely silver without any dark vertical bars or spots. In the ocean, adults are bright greenish-blue on top and silvery on its sides. They have very small scales and pink flesh. As adults get closer to going back to fresh water, they get a lot of big black spots on their backs and tails. When pinks get close to where they spawn, the males’ backs turn brown to black, and their bellies turn bright white. Their bellies are bright white at birth, but they turn olive green and have dark bars or patches that can be lavender or dark gold. Males have a very big hump and hooked jaws called a kype by the time they get to the stream where they will spawn.
Pink salmon have the shortest lifespan of all the Pacific salmon found in North America. They mature and complete their entire life cycle in two years. This predictable two-year life cycle has created genetically distinct odd-year and even-year populations of pink salmon. Fish coming in odd years are unrelated to the individuals returning in even years. People from odd and even years don’t breed with each other, even when they go back to the same spawning grounds. Many times individual streams will tend to have one of the populations (odd-year or even-year) producing more fish. However, in some streams both odd and even years produce about the same number of pink salmon. Occasionally this will shift, and the previously weak year will become the most abundant.
When pink salmon fry come up from the gravel at the river’s bottom, they swim to the ocean. Once there, they begin feeding plankton, larval fishes, and occasional aquatic insects. They become adults after 18 months of feeding and growing in saltwater. Between late June and mid-October, they spawn in the river where they were born. Males get the huge bump on their backs and a bigger head with big teeth that they use in fights with other males. The female finds a good spot to nest and builds a nest in the river bed by lying on her side and digging a shallow hole with her body and tail. As she settles into the hole to deposit her eggs, a male joins her to fertilize them. A female can dig up to four nests and lay eggs in them. As she digs new ones, she covers the ones she has already dug. A group of nests is known as a redd. A female stays and defends her redd until she dies, usually within two weeks. Males leave to try and fertilize other eggs. The eggs incubate over winter and hatch in late winter or early spring. Young salmon fry, called alevin, live under the gravel and eat the yolk sac that is attached to their bellies. They keep growing until they are big enough to come out and swim to the ocean.
Since young pink salmon migrate immediately to the ocean, they generally do not eat as they leave freshwater. Some populations of pink salmon spawn much further up big rivers. As they make their way to saltwater, young pink salmon may eat aquatic insects. In the ocean, pink salmon feed on plankton, other smaller fish, squid, and the occasional aquatic insect. The tiny marine crustaceans pink salmon eat are what give their flesh its pink color. As with all members of the salmon family, when they return to freshwater to spawn, they stop eating.
Pink salmon generally spawn in small rivers near the coast, and in estuaries near the mouths of rivers. Most pink salmon do not travel farther than 40 miles up a river to spawn. In Alaska, though, they have been seen to travel farther on bigger rivers like the Yukon, Kuskokwim, and Nushagak. In Southcentral Alaska, pink salmon have been documented going as far as 130 miles up the Susitna River. On the Mulchatna River, pink salmon have gone as far as 250 miles upstream before spawning.
Pink salmon that are young come out of the gravel and move to saltwater. They stay in estuaries and along the beaches in groups called schools. Over time, they start to spend more time feeding in deeper waters outside of Alaska, like the Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands.
Pink salmon are found along the Pacific rim of Asia and in North America. There are wild pink salmon populations along the coasts of the North Pacific Ocean, the Arctic Ocean, and other nearby seas. In North America, pink salmon have been found as far south as north-central California. However, they don’t have many babies below Puget Sound in Washington State. They live from the Lena River in Siberia in the west to Korea and Kyushu, Japan, in the south.
From the early 1900s to the 1970s, people tried to move pink salmon to northern Europe, northern America, and even Chile. Most of these efforts have not been successful. They were accidentally brought to Lake Superior in 1956, but they lived and became a population that spread across the Great Lakes and is still there today. This population is the only known place where a three-year-old pink salmon has been seen. It is the first known population to live its whole life cycle in fresh water.
Pink salmon are found all along the coast of Alaska. There are none in the upper Copper River drainage and only a few in the Copper River delta.
Facts: The Pink Salmon
FAQ
Can you eat humpy salmon?
Why are pink salmon called humpy?
What kind of fish is a humpy?
Are pink salmon worth eating?
What is humpy salmon?
Amid the five different salmon species found in Alaska’s icy waters, there’s one that holds a special place in the hearts of fishermen (and diners…) – the Humpy Salmon, otherwise known as Pink Salmon.
Is wild salmon healthy?
Wild salmon is considered healthy, since it provides proteins, vitamins, minerals and unsaturated fats such as omega 3, which help in maintenance of cardiovascular health. Although it has a considerably higher caloric value than other fish, its calories are exceptionally nutritious, since the fish is high in protein and healthy fat.
Are pink salmon humpy?
Well, it’s true. Every even year when pink salmon, or “humpies” are running strong, we catch this aggressive and plentiful species of salmon on nearly every cast! But believe it or not some anglers actually turn their noses up at, and even dread, humpy years.
Are humpy salmon worth catching?
One of the biggest pulls for catching Humpy Salmon is their abundance. Humpies return in massive numbers, peaking in odd-numbered years, which provides plenty of opportunities to catch them, making the experience both rewarding and exciting.