Thursday, September 22, 2011

Pink Salmon spawn Minnesota North shore.

The Pink Salmon have started the spawning run on some of the North Shore streams of Lake Superior. I missed seeing this last year by only a week. They have been reported on the Cascade River. I hadn't heard of Pink Salmon and was confused about what they were? Come to find out they are a exotic that was introduced to Lake Superior.

http://hatch.cehd.umn.edu/research/fish/fishes/pink_salmon.html

And how did they get here:

http://minnesotasteelheader.blogspot.com/2006/10/pink-salmon-what-really-happened.html

Also known as the 'Autumn Salmon', Pink Salmon are now running in the Temperance River. These fish were accidentally released into Lake Superior in the 1950's, and are now thriving in the lake. They spawn in the lake's tributaries in the fall, and die after spawning. Often, otters and birds of prey can be seen taking advantage of this all-you-can-eat salmon buffet. Look in the mouth of the Temperance River and the pools below the foot bridge for this Pacific exotic.

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