The Atlantic Salmon is a fish that is equally at home in freshwater and saltwater, although it is usually younger Atlantic Salmon that are found in larger rivers in England. Adult Atlantic Salmon spend most of their lives in the Atlantic Ocean where they travel in small groups hunting for food.

The Atlantic Salmon is a large powerful-looking fish that is around a metre in length. It is a silver-blue colour with black spots on its sides and back. It is often called the ‘king of fish’ because people regard it as a very handsome fish. The Atlantic Salmon returns to the place it was born to spawn and it is not uncommon to see this fish leaping as high as four metres to overcome obstacles such as waterfalls and rapids to get to its birthplace. This fish generally spawns only once and then eventually returns to the open sea where it remains for the rest of its life.

Small Atlantic Salmon are called ‘fry’. Fry very slowly and gradually travel through the open seas to head towards river estuaries where they mature into adults. The journey from sea to rivers can take up to two to three years.

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