COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Those unfamiliar with North Idaho’s nature might be alarmed by the numerous dead fish covering the shores of Coeur d’Alene Lake that appear around November.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) has conducted annual surveys since 1990 and traced this annual sighting of dead fish to the Chinook Salmon. According to IDFG, the Coeur d’Alene Chook Salmon finish spawning in early October and float 11 miles of Coeur d’Alene River, six miles of South Fork, and 14 miles of St. Joe River.
In autumn, the females lay eggs that will incubate throughout the winter and hatch in the spring. According to IDFG, the old generation of Chinook Salmon die at the spawning grounds, finishing the species’ life circle. The dead salmon bodies provide nutrients to the ecosystem, supporting their offspring. The multitude of dead fish is a natural process, and with the increase in the number of Chinook salmon, it is not unusual for the current to carry some fish ashore or for birds to feast on the fish and drop the remains on the beach.
For more information on Chinook Salmon in Coeur d’Alene, visit Coeur d’Alene Lake. Chinook Salmon has a strong spawning run | Idaho Fish and Game.
