There are typically 6 stages in the salmon life cycle: 1. Eggs are laid in freshwater gravel beds. 2. Alevin hatch from the eggs and live in the gravel using yolk sacs for food. 3. Fry are small salmon that live in freshwater streams, feeding on insects. 4. Smolt undergo physiological changes to live in salt water, often found in bays with abundant food. 5. Adults live in deeper ocean water, feeding on fish and zooplankton. 6. Spawning adults migrate back to freshwater streams to reproduce and then die.

1. Teachers Notes: Salmon Life Cycle
Background Information Salmon are anadromous fish meaning they live in the sea but
reproduce in fresh water for example a stream or lake. Salmon
live in fresh water during their early life, mature in salt water,
and then return to fresh water to breed (and then die). There
are typically 6 stages in the Salmon Life Cycle:
1. Eggs: laid in freshwater gravel beds, often in streams.
2. Alevin: newly hatched salmon. They live in the gravel,
using the food stored in their yolk sacs.
3. Fry: small salmon living in the freshwater stream,
feeding on insects and other invertebrates.
4. Smolt: have changed shape and colour, and have gone
through physiological changes necessary for life in salt
water. Often found in salt marshes and bays, taking
advantage of abundant food and protection from
predators.
5. Adults: live in deeper ocean water, feeding on fish such
as herring, sand lance, and rockfish, as well as on
zooplankton.
6. Spawning adults: migrate back to their home stream to
reproduce. Their bodies change shape and color, and
they stop eating once they enter fresh water.
Key Stage 2
Links with Curriculum World Around Us
Interdependence
The main stages in the lifecycle of some living things.
Change over time
Obvious changes that occur in lifecycles.
Key Vocabulary Salmon
Egg
Alevin
Fry
Smolt
Adult
Spawning
Predator
Mature
Hatch
Grow
List of resources provided Introductory Lesson Plan with PowerPoint, follow up
differentiated worksheet and extension worksheet
Lesson plan for a game exploring the life cycle
Lesson plan for creating a mobile representing the life
cycle. Instant display.
Useful links http://sni.scholastic.com/SN2/03_03_13_SN2 : Digital Issue with
focus on salmon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DqjsWsY8-g: Discovery
Channel documentary on Salmon Life Cycle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV30UZ9aF04: Entertaining
Song about Salmon Life Cycle