The Coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch), and Pink Salmon (O. gorbuscha) have been introduced into Lake Erie successfully and have proven to be a good game fish for the sport fisherman. These introduced species in the Great Lakes do not complete a life cycle that their origin species experience.
Salmon begin their life in small, freshwater streams, where they hatch from eggs buried in gravel nests built by their
parents. Following a brief residence in freshwater, the salmon return to the sea where they mature into adults. At four
to five years of age, the adults return to their home streams, completing the cycle. Sockeye salmon navigate falls,
rapids, commercial fishing nets, and other obstacles during their return to spawn.
