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 Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological chordate courtship diadromous diadromy female behavior fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory near Cordova organism redd excavation semelparity semelparous under fresh water underwater
Beach spawning act
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in the act of beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska.
Actinopterygii Alaska Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory near Cordova organism semelparity semelparous spawning spawning act spawning behavior under fresh water underwater
Spawning commencement
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) commencing to beach spawn in Eyak lake, Alaska.
Actinopterygii Alaska Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Ecology Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory near Cordova organism semelparity semelparous spawning spawning act spawning behavior under fresh water underwater
Covering redd
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) pair following beach spawning in Eyak lake, Alaska
Actinopterygii Alaska Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological chordate courtship covering redd diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory near Cordova organism semelparity semelparous spawning behavior under fresh water underwater
Gametes mingling
Eggs and sperm mingle as Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) beach spawn in Eyak lake, Alaska.
Actinopterygii Alaska Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory near Cordova organism semelparity semelparous spawning spawning act spawning behavior under fresh water 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 Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory near Cordova organism red semelparity semelparous spawning spawning act spawning behavior under fresh water 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 Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory near Cordova organism red semelparity semelparous spawning spawning act spawning behavior under fresh water 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 Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory near Cordova organism red semelparity semelparous spawning spawning act spawning behavior under fresh water 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 Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Ecology Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological chordate courtship diadromous diadromy female behavior fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory near Cordova organism redd excavation semelparity semelparous under fresh water 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 Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Ecology Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological chordate courtship diadromous diadromy female behavior fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory near Cordova organism redd excavation semelparity semelparous under fresh water 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 Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Ecology Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory nature near Cordova organism probing salmon habitat semelparity semelparous spawning behavior under fresh water 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 Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Ecology Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory nature near Cordova organism salmon habitat semelparity semelparous under fresh water 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 Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Ecology Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory nature near Cordova organism salmon habitat semelparity semelparous under fresh water 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 Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Ecology Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory nature near Cordova organism salmon habitat semelparity semelparous under fresh water underwater wild wild salmon
Staging Sockeye Salmon
Male Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) staging in beach spawning habitat in Eyak lake, Alaska
Actinopterygii Alaska Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Ecology Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory nature near Cordova organism salmon habitat semelparity semelparous staging under fresh water 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 Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Ecology Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy female behavior fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory nature near Cordova organism redd excavation salmon habitat semelparity semelparous under fresh water 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 Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Ecology Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory nature near Cordova organism salmon habitat semelparity semelparous staging under fresh water 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 Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Ecology Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory nature near Cordova organism salmon habitat semelparity semelparous staging under fresh water 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 Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Ecology Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory nature near Cordova organism salmon habitat semelparity semelparous topside under fresh water 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 Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Ecology Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Running Bear Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory nature near Cordova organism salmon habitat semelparity semelparous topside under fresh water 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.
Alaska Biology Ecology Reproductive behavior South Central Alaska Summer United States anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater lake lentic living migratory organism salmon habitat semelparity semelparous topside under fresh water
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 Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Ecology Eyak Lake Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Snell's window Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ lake lentic living migratory naturalworld nature organism salmon habitat semelparity semelparous under fresh water 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 Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Cordova Ecology Eyak Lake Humpback Salmon Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Oncorhynchus kisutch Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Pink Salmon Prince William Sound Red Salmon Reproductive behavior 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 anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ lake lentic living migratory naturalworld nature organism probing salmon habitat semelparity semelparous spawning behavior under fresh water 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 Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Cordova Ecology Eyak Lake Humpback Salmon Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Oncorhynchus kisutch Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Pink Salmon Prince William Sound Red Salmon Reproductive behavior 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 anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ lake lentic living migratory naturalworld nature organism probing salmon habitat semelparity semelparous spawning behavior under fresh water underwater underwater technique underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Beach spawning
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska during the summer.
Actinopterygii Alaska Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Cordova Ecology Eyak Lake Humpback Salmon Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Oncorhynchus kisutch Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Pink Salmon Prince William Sound Red Salmon Reproductive behavior 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 anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ lake lentic living migratory naturalworld nature organism probing salmon habitat semelparity semelparous spawning behavior under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Beach spawning
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska during the summer.
Actinopterygii Alaska Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Cordova Ecology Eyak Lake Humpback Salmon Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Oncorhynchus kisutch Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Pink Salmon Prince William Sound Red Salmon Reproductive behavior 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 anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ lake lentic living migratory naturalworld nature organism probing salmon habitat semelparity semelparous spawning behavior under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Beach spawning
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska during the summer.
Actinopterygii Alaska Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Cordova Ecology Eyak Lake Humpback Salmon Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Oncorhynchus kisutch Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Pink Salmon Prince William Sound Red Salmon Reproductive behavior 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 anadromous anadromy beach spawning biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ lake lentic living migratory naturalworld nature organism probing salmon habitat semelparity semelparous spawning behavior under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon