The last day of 2023 was a good day of trolling, and our little 2-boat fleet netted some salmon and a few good-sized lakers.
This strangely-colored salmon was caught in Town Farm Bay late in the afternoon. I've never seen anything like it with the bluish color on the top of the head and back. Otherwise it looks like a banged-up spawned-out male with the hooked jaw and a lot of abrasions on the sides and tail. Color was light tan with big prominent spots, like a brown trout, but the forked tail is definitely a salmon. The fish was 22 inches long and skinny, only about 3lbs 5oz and 11" girth.
Does anyone know what is going on with this fish ?
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Here's a normal salmon caught nearby a few minutes earlier for comparison:
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Nice day on the lake !
odd-looking salmon
- Dilly Worm
- Posts: 276
- Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2019 9:22 pm
- Species: target salmon & catch togue
odd-looking salmon
I do not exaggerate when I talk about fishing - I underestimate, like I say "just one more cast honey, then I'll come home" !
Keep Calm and... Fish On !
Keep Calm and... Fish On !
- fishfarmer
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2011 7:09 pm
- Species: Piscies
- Location: Brandon, VT
Re: odd-looking salmon
Interesting color.
I've seen entire salmon that exact color, but they were in a big circular tank with a light blue liner. I occasionally see captive steelhead and rainbows that are bluish in raceways when every other fish is green/brown.
It could be a skin infection of some kind that the fish is producing more mucus to fight it off. I see that occasionally on the heads of salmonids, a light clear/blue patch.
You are correct, spawned out male dropping back to the lake.
I've seen entire salmon that exact color, but they were in a big circular tank with a light blue liner. I occasionally see captive steelhead and rainbows that are bluish in raceways when every other fish is green/brown.
It could be a skin infection of some kind that the fish is producing more mucus to fight it off. I see that occasionally on the heads of salmonids, a light clear/blue patch.
You are correct, spawned out male dropping back to the lake.