{"id":306,"date":"2022-03-08T11:54:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-08T11:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/salmonfacts.org\/?p=306"},"modified":"2023-03-29T15:15:14","modified_gmt":"2023-03-29T15:15:14","slug":"difference-between-steelhead-and-salmon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/salmonfacts.org\/difference-between-steelhead-and-salmon\/","title":{"rendered":"Steelhead vs Salmon: What’s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Steelhead and salmon have a similar appearance at first glance. However, experienced anglers can tell you that the differences between steelhead trout vs. salmon are vast, ranging from size to taste. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Steelhead Salmon or Trout?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Steelhead fish is a trout, as it belongs to the rainbow trout species. However, unlike rainbow trout but like salmon, steelhead is anadromous. As a result, they can live in both freshwater and saltwater. Both steelhead and salmon move from their homes in the ocean to rivers and streams to spawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, both Pacific salmon<\/a> and steelhead share the same family and genus\u2014Salmonidea and Oncorhynchus, respectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lifecycle of Steelhead vs Salmon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Steelhead fish spawn early in the year, between January and April, depending on the river\u2019s level and water temperature. In contrast, salmon spawn in the fall, from September to December, according to the same water conditions that steelhead need to make their way from saltwater to freshwater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A possible evolutionary reason why steelhead and salmon have different spawning cycles is that they could produce offspring because they’re in the same genus. However, their babies would be sterile, so having the same spawning time would work to their disadvantage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike salmon, where most species die upon spawning, steelheads largely survive the energy output to swim upriver and spawn. So, they often travel between the ocean and river many times during their lifespan to spawn. However, of the steelheads that die, the majority are male. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Characteristics of Steelhead vs Salmon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Salmon and steelhead look remarkably similar when living in the ocean. Their bodies have a silver or brilliant chrome hue, with their backs painted in a dark grey or black. Both fish also have a torpedo shape.<\/p>\n\n\n

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How to Tell a Steelhead from a Salmon<\/h3>\n
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One of the most distinguishing characteristics between steelhead and salmon is the steelhead\u2019s glistening pink stripe that runs from its gills to its sides. However, not all steelheads have this mark, so a fish without a pink line isn\u2019t necessarily a salmon.<\/p>\n

Another way to tell the difference between steelheads and salmon is to open their mouths. Pacific salmon have dark or black gums. In contrast, steelheads have white gums.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

There\u2019s a catch, though\u2014Atlantic salmon have white gums. So, if you\u2019re fishing in Atlantic salmon<\/a> territory, you can\u2019t use this feature as a differentiator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"steelhead
Kind looks like a salmon, no?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Size of Steelhead vs Salmon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Steelhead salmon run smaller than most salmon, at 20-25 inches as adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if you catch a steelhead-looking fish that\u2019s over 25 inches long, it\u2019s a good indication that you\u2019ve caught a salmon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, it\u2019s easy to confuse a growing salmon with a steelhead. That\u2019s because all salmon reach at least 20 inches as adults, with most growing to 25 inches or longer. Below are the average length measurements according to salmon species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n