By Janice Podsada
Herald Writer
What kind of fish can you expect to see this time of year in Snohomish County’s streams?
In late February and March, inch-long juvenile, 3- or 4-month-old salmon will begin to emerge from their hiding places in the stream’s gravel.
The eggs were laid and fertilized in the streambeds last fall, in the months of September through December. About 55 days after they were laid, the eggs hatched.
"The fish hatch out with a yolk sac attached to their belly," said Tom Murdoch, director of the Adopt-A-Stream Foundation. While the yolk is still in place they don’t have to feed themselves.
"They don’t have to work for a living yet," Murdoch said. That changes when they turn 90 to 120 days old, right about this time of year, when they must emerge from the gravel’s shelter to feed on insects.
Residents of southwest Snohomish County may be able to glimpse these tiny juvenile coho, sockeye and chinook salmon in local creeks.
And contrary to popular belief, there are salmon and trout spawning this time of year.
"Salmon typically spawn in late fall, but there are some spring runs here," Murdoch said. "There are steelhead coming back, and sea run cutthroat trout spawning in North Creek. You may see them and mistake them for salmon."
In north Snohomish County, residents can glimpse inch-long juvenile humpback and pink salmon.
The juveniles are very fragile this time of year, Murdoch said.
"Find a pool area, but don’t go into the water. Just sit quietly on a log and wait."
And juvenile fish are off limits to collectors.
"You have to have a scientific collection permit from Washington State Fish and Wildlife Department to take them," Murdoch said.
He said a good reference book is "Field identification of Coastal Juvenile Salmonids."
For more information on the foundation, call 425-316-8592.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
