Species guide
How to catch Atlantic salmon
Salmo salar
The Atlantic salmon is a prized game fish known for its impressive migrations and strong fight. Juveniles feed on insects and crustaceans in freshwater, while adults hunt fish and crustaceans near the ocean surface. They cease feeding during spawning migrations back to freshwater.
Where they live
Found in freshwater, brackish, and saltwater across North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and Oceania. Juveniles inhabit rivers and streams; adults migrate long distances in the ocean, often near the surface up to 210 meters deep.
Typical size
Most run 50–150 cm
What they eat
- aquatic insects
- crustaceans
- small fish
- herring
- capelin
- sand eels
Best baits
- worms
- shrimp
- small fish strips
Best lures
- spoons
- spinners
- soft plastics
- streamers
How to fish for them
- fly fishing
- spin fishing
- trolling
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