Where Does Atlantic Salmon Live?

Atlantic Salmon lives in specific habitats. Knowing where to look helps you find and identify it.

Where to find Atlantic Salmon

Water type

brackish

Depth

Freshwater: Shallow to moderate depths in rivers and streams (0.5-5 meters). Saltwater: Pelagic, typically in the upper 200 meters of the water column, but can dive deeper.

Environment

Freshwater: Cold, clear, well-oxygenated rivers and streams with gravelly or rocky bottoms for spawning. Requires access to the ocean for maturation. Saltwater: Open ocean, primarily in the North Atlantic.

Geographic range

Native to the temperate and subarctic regions of the North Atlantic Ocean, including coasts and rivers of Europe (from Portugal to Russia) and eastern North America (from Connecticut to Quebec and Labrador). Introduced to other parts of the world, but often with limited success in establishing self-sustaining populations.

Explore Atlantic Salmon