Salmon Life Cycle Worksheet

Developed by Connor Paschke, Spring 2020, University of Oregon Environmental Leadership Program 
 
Wild salmon begin their lives in rivers and streams, then they migrate to the sea, where they 
spend the next several years until they mature. After this, they return to the same rivers and 
streams to spawn (reproduce) and die. They end their lives where they began them. Salmon are 
anadromous​ (derived from the Greek, meaning running upward), migrating up rivers from sea to 
spawn.  
 
There are five Pacific Salmon species, of which three are common in Oregon: c​ ​oho, chinook, and 
chum. 
 
Salmon Life Cycle Key Terms 

  During the summer or fall, female salmon lay their eggs in freshwater gravel 
Eggs  nests, also known as redds. They can lay as many as 2,500-7,000 eggs 
throughout several redds. The eggs hatch during mid to late winter.  

  At this stage, larval salmon are defenseless and receive nutrients from yolk 
Alevin  sacs attached to their bodies. They live within the gravel as alevin until they 
grow large enough to swim and feed. 

  When the yolk sac is entirely absorbed, salmon swim to the surface of the 
Fry  water and fill their swim bladders with oxygen. They need high quality stream 
habitats. Logs, boulders, and shade are important to their survival.  

  Salmon develop distinct vertical bars during this stage that help them 
Parr  camouflage into their steam habitats.  

  Seaward migrating salmon lose their parr marks at this stage and are replaced 
Smolt  with shiny silver scales. This will help camouflage them as they live in the 
ocean. Their gills and kidneys also undergo changes so that they can survive in 
saltwater. 

Adult  As adults, salmon feed in the ocean and remain there for a certain amount of 
time depending on the species. 

  Upon re-entering the streams they grew within, salmon stop feeding and draw 
Spawning  energy from their fat, muscle, and organs to focus on reproducing. At this 
time, they change in both shape and color. Females lay eggs while the males 
 
milt, or fertilize, the eggs. After spawning, salmon die within a matter of days 
or weeks, releasing their nutrients into their river habitats.  

 
 
Directions​: Based off of the descriptions in the table, label each photo with its correct life cycle 
term. Provide a brief description of each stage.  
 

 
 Answer Sheet