Salmon
Background
Profile
Salmon
- Species
- Timing
- Returns & Management
- Who Can Fish?
Ecology
Geology
Climate
Economy
Ownership
Habitat Pressures and Risk Areas
References
Many fish species are important to the Copper River system. Burbot, eulachon, needlefish, sticklefish, sucker, and eels are among them, but none compare to salmon in cultural and regional economic importance. Salmon begin life in fresh water lakes and streams, migrate to the ocean and spend on average from one to four years in salt water maturing, and return to their natal streams to lay their eggs and die. The returning salmon provide food for people and many species of animals, birds and fish, and their decomposing bodies bring needed nitrogen and other marine-derived nutrients to almost sterile glacial streams.
During their life span salmon pass through and often linger in many distinct ecosystems owned and managed by various international, federal, state, tribal and private entities. Conflicting jurisdictional interests create a "crazy-quilt" patchwork of management policies and habitat conservation efforts. The Copper River Knowledge System hopes to contribute to a better understanding of the multiple environments necessary to maintain healthy runs of wild Copper River salmon. The more we know and understand the region, the better we can manage the complex landscape on which wild salmon depend.
All five species of eastern Pacific Salmon are found in the Copper River watershed: Chinook/King, Sockeye/Red, Coho/Silver, Chum/Kita, and Pink/Humpy. In addition, several closely related species are classified as salmonids; Rainbow Trout/Steelhead; Cutthroat Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling; Arctic Char, Dolly Varden and Sheefish/Whitefish.
Brief Life Cycles of Copper River area salmon are available online at www.psmfc.org/habitat/edu_anad_table.html and www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/notehome.php
