Anadromous Fish Species
Anadromous fish are born in freshwater, migrate to the ocean to grow, and return to rivers to spawn — completing one of nature's most remarkable journeys. Salmon, steelhead, striped bass, and shad are the most famous members of this group. Targeting anadromous fish requires timing runs precisely, understanding river systems, and often traveling to specific waterways when fish are actively moving. The runs are predictable by season but vary year to year based on water temperature and flow. This library covers the key anadromous species found in North American waters.
26 species in this category
Alewife
Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) inhabits rivers, lakes (spring run). Popular tech…
American Eel (River Phase)
American Eel (River Phase) (Anguilla rostrata) inhabits freshwater rivers (elver…
American Shad
American Shad (Alosa sapidissima) inhabits rivers, estuaries (spring run). Popul…
Atlantic Salmon
The king of gamefish. Sea-run populations on both sides of the North Atlantic.
Atlantic Sturgeon
Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) inhabits atlantic rivers, estuaries. Po…
Blueback Herring
Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis) inhabits atlantic rivers (spring). Popular t…
Chinook Salmon
Largest Pacific salmon species, also called king salmon. Trophy fish of the Paci…
Chum Salmon
Also called dog salmon. Strong fighter with impressive teeth during spawning run…
Coho Salmon
Silver salmon with bright flesh. Popular on the Pacific Northwest troll.
Green Sturgeon
Green Sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) inhabits pacific rivers, bays. Popular te…
Hickory Shad
Hickory Shad (Alosa mediocris) inhabits atlantic rivers (spring). Popular techni…
Masu Salmon
Masu Salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) inhabits nw pacific rivers (japan). Popular tec…
Pacific Lamprey
Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) inhabits pacific rivers (spawning). Po…
Pink Salmon
The most abundant Pacific salmon. Two-year lifecycle with humpbacked males durin…
Rainbow Smelt
Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax) inhabits coastal rivers (spring). Popular techniq…
Sea Lamprey
Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) inhabits atlantic & gl rivers (spawning). Popul…
Sea-Run Brook Trout
Sea-Run Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) inhabits coastal ne streams (fall). …
Sea-Run Brown Trout
Sea-Run Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) inhabits coastal streams (fall). Popular tech…
Sea-Run Cutthroat Trout
Sea-Run Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarki) inhabits pacific nw coasta…
Shortnose Sturgeon
Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) inhabits atlantic rivers. Popular te…
Sockeye Salmon
Prized for its firm red flesh. Smallest but most sought-after commercial Pacific…
Steelhead
Sea-run rainbow trout. Great Lakes and Pacific populations. Fly angler's holy gr…
Striped Bass
Anadromous striper that runs coastal rivers and lives in saltwater. Prized East …
Striped Mullet
Striped Mullet (Mugil cephalus) inhabits coastal waters, estuaries. Popular tech…
Threespine Stickleback
Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) inhabits coastal streams, estuar…
White Sturgeon
White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) inhabits pacific rivers, columbia. Popu…
Log your anadromous catches in FishLog
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