Coho Observation Journal
I observed a Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). Cohos are one of five Pacific salmon found in the Juneau area. They have been and continue to be one of the most sought after fish by fishermen, due to their size, strength, and taste.
I observed this fish in Auke Creek. Auke creek has one of the biggest wild runs of Coho on the Juneau road system. It is a beautiful place to be, and it offers coho with perfect habitat to spawn.
The hook that it is beginning to develop on this fishes nose indicates that it is an adult male. Coho return in large numbers to this area to spawn, moving in from the ocean to reproduce in fresh water. During this stage of their life they turn from the silver that is seen in the ocean to a deep red. Males often develop a large hooked nose. After they spawn once they die. This fish will likely spawn within the next month, and die shortly after.
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)Observer
callahanjfcDescription
Coho Salmon retuning to its natal stream to spawn. Observed in Juneau AK.
Comments
Hey Callahan,
Nice fish! I often struggle to identify fish like this because the small ones start to look pink salmon, though like you mentioned in your post Coho will present very different features than the pinks will. I didn't know that Auke Creek had the biggest runs for coho on the road system, being so close to UAS do you get to sneak out for an evening sesh often? Growing up in Haines, we have a solid coho run but we primarily catch Sockeyes. Personally, if I had to rank each of the species based on takes it would be Kings, Coho, Sockeye, Dogs, and Pinks. I've been recently getting into tying my own flies, we had luck using some of the black and white Dolly Lamas.
Hey Callahan,
Over the summer I've been learning on identifying the salmon and I got to see some coho salmon when they were smaller, and then getting to see how big they are now is crazy! I haven't been around salmon before and getting so see how big and round these guys get from their small little fry size is crazy! I love to go down to Auke Creek and look at all of the cohos, pinks, chum, and sockeyes that have gone through there. It's been very fascinating! But I didn’t know that Auke Creek has the biggest wild runs in Juneau. I noticed the number of them that had started to show up, but I didn’t know they weren’t as apparent in other places.
Nice first observation Callahan, and it's fun to see an observation for a species there is a fair amount of enthusiasm for -- I believe a couple of you are Marine Biology students! :)
Don't forget that even if you aren't using a formal formatting system, you do need to give credit to sources of information. For example, "Auke creek has one of the biggest wild runs of Coho on the Juneau road system" needs a source credited. This idea of giving credit and why we do it will become clearer during Week 4 when you learn about MLA Format, but for the time being think of honoring the people who have given you information; that is all we are doing when we give credit to our sources: acknowledging our forebearers.
Professor Brooke
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