Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) of the Leaf River, Ungava Bay

Abstract

The Leaf River supports the most northerly known population of anadromous Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Canada. River growth averaged 40–50 mm/yr, smolts averaged 258 mm fork length (range 190–300 mm) and 5.3 yr (range 4+ to 7+). Many males matured in fresh water and either incurred heavy mortality or became residual. Sex ratios among smolts were 5:1 in favor of females and among adults 3:1 in favor of females. Female 2-sea-winter salmon accounted for 75% of the fresh-run fish. Upstream migration peaked in August: kelts were still resident in the river 11 and 12 mo later.