Atlantic Salmon
Salmo salar
FR Saumon atlantique · ES Salmón atlántico · PT Salmão-do-Atlântico · IT Salmone dell'Atlantico · DE Atlantischer Lachs
Also known as: SalmonGrilseSpringersFiddlerSalmão-atlânticoSalmón atlánticoSaumon atlantiqueAtlantischer LachsSalmone dell'AtlanticoSalmão-do-Atlântico
PelagicShoreBoat
GamefishSalmonidMigratory
Score
—
Prime time
Spring–autumn coastal runs; dawn/dusk and overcast light
Depth
0–80m
Platform
Shore & boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak May–AugGood Apr–Sep
Depth range
0–80mDeep
Best fishing techniques
Trolling60%
Sabiki under lights60%
Preferred seabed
SandMud
Findr bio
Kelp-lane hunter — at ledge edges and feeds hard on dusk pulses; Metal Jigs And Fast Retrieves.
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
EstuaryShallow water
Recommended baits
FlyFly
Diet
Sand eelHerringAmphipodsSquidShrimp
Effective techniques
Saltwater FlySpinning
Gear
Best times
DawnDuskFlooding tide
I imprint on my birth river and leap waterfalls to get home—jet-lagged but determined.
Field notes
Where to find them
NE Atlantic coasts, estuaries and river mouths, Norway to Iberia
Where they hang out
Estuary mouths and nearshore migration routes, shallow water
Prime time
Spring–autumn coastal runs; dawn/dusk and overcast light
Tide game
Moderate; fish move through estuary mouths on the tide
What they're into
Spinners, spoons, sandeel and shrimp fly patterns
Temperature vibe
Prefers 6–14°C, pushes toward rivers as water warms
Fave weather
Overcast with a light breeze best; settles after a blow
Fun fact about me
I imprint on my birth river and leap waterfalls to get home—jet-lagged but determined.
Dinner material?
10/10Excellent eating
Play by the rules
Heavily regulated — seasons, bag limits and river-specific rules, often catch-and-releaseNational fisheries/rivers authority (e.g. UK EA, Ireland IFI, Norway Miljødirektoratet)
Looking after them
Near Threatened
This species runs in rivers too — see Rise Daisy's Atlantic Salmon guide for the freshwater side of the story.