The Atlantic Salmon Size, Food and Feeding Habits

SIZE.—The size of this fish varies according to the locality and the time spent in the sea as well as the food conditions. Some streams produce fish that grow larger than others even though their ages are identical. The average size is about ten pounds and many are caught that weigh from twenty to thirty pounds or more. They grow in a comparatively short time from a tiny smolt of a few ounces to a salmon of sixty pounds or more. The largest reported from any waters was taken in Scotland and was reported to weigh eighty-four pounds. The official world’s record with rod and line is seventy-nine pounds and two ounces and was caught in Norway in 1928.

FOOD AND FEEDING HABITS.—The young parr live upon small aquatic insect life, both larva and mature, before migrating to the ocean. Soon after entering the sea they feed very extensively upon crustaceans, sand fleas, and shrimp. As their rapid growth develops they depend upon herring, capelin, smelt, and other similar fish. They are ravenous feeders and gorge themselves with food.
When the grilse and salmon enter the fresh water for the spawning migration they feed very little and cease to feed at all when well on the way to the spawning grounds, first, because nature has provided them with sufficient energy to carry them through the spawning period; and second because there is insufficient food in the rivers to supply the demand of so many large fish.