Beach Spawning

In addition to spawning in streams and rivers, salmon can spawn on the shores of lakes. This is called beach spawning. Because juvenile Sockeye Salmon typically rear in lakes prior to going out to sea, beach spawning can contribute signicficantly to the overall spawning habitat for a given lake's population. This gallery contains underwater as well as above water images of beach spawning in Alaskan lakes.

Redd excavation
With her alpha male guarding behind her, a female Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) excavates her redd during preparation to beach spawn in Eyak Lake, Alaska.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning chordate fish behavior near Cordova redd excavation underwater
Beach spawning act
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in the act of beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning chordate fish behavior near Cordova spawning spawning act spawning behavior underwater
Spawning commencement
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) commencing to beach spawn in Eyak lake, Alaska.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning chordate fish behavior near Cordova spawning spawning act spawning behavior underwater
Covering redd
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) pair following beach spawning in Eyak lake, Alaska
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning chordate covering redd fish behavior near Cordova spawning behavior underwater
Gametes mingling
Eggs and sperm mingle as Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) beach spawn in Eyak lake, Alaska.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning chordate fish behavior near Cordova spawning spawning act spawning behavior underwater
Beach spawning act
Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) commencing to beach spawn in Eyak Lake, Alaska. Eggs being extruded into redd pocket. Shoreline is to the left (note alge on rocks visible through male's gape.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Red Salmon Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning chordate fish behavior near Cordova spawning spawning act spawning behavior underwater
Beach spawning act
Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) commencing to beach spawn in Eyak Lake, Alaska. First eggs being extruded into redd pocket. Shoreline is to the left (note alge on rocks visible through male's gape.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Red Salmon Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning chordate fish behavior near Cordova spawning spawning act spawning behavior underwater
Beach spawning act
Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) commencing to beach spawn in Eyak Lake, Alaska. Female making final anal fin probe into spawning pocket before extruding eggs. Shoreline is to the left (note alge on rocks visible through male's gape).
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Red Salmon Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning chordate fish behavior near Cordova spawning spawning act spawning behavior underwater
Redd excavation
Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) redd excavation prior to beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska. Female excavates the redd by making rapid body undulations. Shoreline is to the left.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning chordate fish behavior near Cordova redd excavation underwater
Redd excavation
Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) redd excavation prior to beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska. Female excavates the redd by making rapid body undulations. Shoreline is to the left.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning chordate fish behavior near Cordova redd excavation underwater
Probing
As her alpha male comes alongside, a female Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) uses her anal fin to probe her redd prior to beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska. The shoreline is to the left in this image.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning biosphere chordate fish behavior nature near Cordova probing salmon habitat spawning behavior underwater wild wild salmon
Rejection
A female Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynhus nerka) attacks an unwanted intruding male while she is in the process of preparing her redd to beach spawn in Eyak Lake, Alaska. Her favored alpha male is in the background.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression beach spawning biosphere chordate fish behavior nature near Cordova salmon habitat underwater wild wild salmon
Rejection
Female Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) attempts to nudge away an intruding male while preparing her redd to beach spawn in Eyak Lake, Alaska
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression beach spawning biosphere chordate fish behavior nature near Cordova salmon habitat underwater wild wild salmon
Circular swimming
Female Sockeye salmon circles back towards her redd during its excavation in preparation for beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning biosphere chordate fish behavior nature near Cordova salmon habitat underwater wild wild salmon
Staging Sockeye Salmon
Male Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) staging in beach spawning habitat in Eyak lake, Alaska
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning biosphere chordate fish behavior nature near Cordova salmon habitat staging underwater wild wild salmon
Redd excavation
A partially spawned-out female Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) excavates her redd while beach spawning in Eyak lake, Alaska.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning biosphere chordate fish behavior nature near Cordova redd excavation salmon habitat underwater wild wild salmon
The gathering
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) staging prior to beach spawning near the mouth of a small creek in Eyak Lake, Alaska.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning biosphere chordate fish behavior nature near Cordova salmon habitat staging underwater wild wild salmon
The gathering
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) staging prior to beach spawning near the mouth of a small creek in Eyak Lake, Alaska.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning biosphere chordate fish behavior nature near Cordova salmon habitat staging underwater wild wild salmon
Beach spawning topside
Topside view of Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) beach spawning site in Eyak Lake, Alaska. Absence of algae indicative of a redd excavation activity or wave action (at shoreline).
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning biosphere chordate fish behavior nature near Cordova salmon habitat topside wild wild salmon
Beach spawning topside
Topside view of Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) beach spawning site in Eyak lake, Alaska with camera set up. Note speed limit sign indicating road trhat follows lake shoreline.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning biosphere chordate fish behavior nature near Cordova salmon habitat topside wild wild salmon
Beach spawning topside
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) on beach spawning redds along the shore of Eyak Lake, Alaska near an unamed creek. Redd depressions appear dark rather than the glacial green of offshore waters seen in the background due to seepage of groundwater that makes this site conducive to beach spawning.
Summer beach spawning fish behavior topside
Beach spawning Sockeye Salmon
Sockeye Salmon a.k.a. Red Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) preparing to beach spawn in Eyak Lake, Alaska during the summer.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning biosphere chordate fish behavior in situ naturalworld nature salmon habitat underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Beach spawning
Topside view of Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska during the summer. Polecam used to take underwater photographs is seen.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Cordova Eyak Lake Humpback Salmon Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Oncorhynchus kisutch Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Pink Salmon Prince William Sound Red Salmon Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Salvelinus malma Salvelinus malma lordi Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning biosphere chordate fish behavior in situ naturalworld nature probing salmon habitat spawning behavior underwater underwater technique underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Beach spawning
Topside view of Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska during the summer. Polecam used to take underwater photographs is seen.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Cordova Eyak Lake Humpback Salmon Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Oncorhynchus kisutch Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Pink Salmon Prince William Sound Red Salmon Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Salvelinus malma Salvelinus malma lordi Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning biosphere chordate fish behavior in situ naturalworld nature probing salmon habitat spawning behavior underwater underwater technique underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Beach spawning
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska during the summer.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Cordova Eyak Lake Humpback Salmon Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Oncorhynchus kisutch Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Pink Salmon Prince William Sound Red Salmon Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Salvelinus malma Salvelinus malma lordi Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning biosphere chordate fish behavior in situ naturalworld nature probing salmon habitat spawning behavior underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Beach spawning
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska during the summer.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Cordova Eyak Lake Humpback Salmon Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Oncorhynchus kisutch Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Pink Salmon Prince William Sound Red Salmon Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Salvelinus malma Salvelinus malma lordi Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning biosphere chordate fish behavior in situ naturalworld nature probing salmon habitat spawning behavior underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Beach spawning
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska during the summer.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Cordova Eyak Lake Humpback Salmon Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Oncorhynchus kisutch Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Pink Salmon Prince William Sound Red Salmon Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Salvelinus malma Salvelinus malma lordi Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate beach spawning biosphere chordate fish behavior in situ naturalworld nature probing salmon habitat spawning behavior underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon