Wilbert C. Wagner
Marquette Fisheries Research Station
Marquette, Michigan
Abstract.-Data on size,
age, and fecundity of mature pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)
were collected during 1973-84. Most salmon matured when 2 years
old and the males were significantly longer than females in all
three lakes. Mean lengths (mm) of males and females were: Lake
Superior- 387 and 379, Lake Huron- 468 and 436, and Lake Michigan- 482
and 443. Salmon that matured in 3 years were found only in Lake
Superior tributaries and again males were significantly longer
than females (487 versus 467). Until the middle 1970's all pink
salmon were assumed to mature when they were 2 years old but a
mature 3-year-old salmon was found in 1976 and 3-year-old salmon
have since become common. Mean fecundity of 127 pink salmon from
lakes Superior and Huron was 1,030 eggs. Fecundity of 2-and 3-year-old
salmon was similar.