1 66 The Pacific Salmons 



It bears a close resemblance to the Atlantic 

 salmon. Its maximum weight is thirty pounds, 

 and its average ten pounds. It has a wide dis- 

 tribution, ascending nearly all streams from Santa 

 Barbara, California, to the Alaska peninsula. The 

 first run in the Columbia is in the fall, when the 

 fish is in prime condition ; but spawning does not 

 occur until February to May. The usual spawn- 

 ing grounds are the head waters of the streams, 

 the steelhead being as indefatigable as the quin- 

 nat in pushing its way inland. 



It has harder skull bones than the salmons, and 

 its head is of a bright steely color, whence its 

 name. 



This admirable fish is a general favorite, on 

 account of its size, beauty, gameness, and food 

 value. It is at its best as a table fish when 

 recently from the sea, and large quantities are 

 then caught for immediate consumption, and also 

 for trans-shipment to the interior and Eastern 

 States. Increasing quantities are also utilized 

 for canning purposes in the Columbia and other 

 rivers. 



Unlike the Pacific salmons, it feeds freely in 

 fresh water, and does not die in the streams after 

 spawning, but returns to the sea. This habit 



