February 2019

The eggs develop over the winter in their gravel nests. The time when they hatch depends on the water temperature, with faster development in warmer water. Earliest hatching can happen in late February in the most southerly rivers. Eggs can be susceptible to wash-out if floods occur at this time of year.

Small numbers of large salmon (those that have spent a minimum of 2 winters at sea commonly termed multi-sea-winter salmon) start returning to rivers to commence their upstream migration.

Rod fishing seasons for salmon open on some rivers to take advantage of these early ‘spring’ fish, although subject to mandatory catch and release measures. National Spring Salmon Byelaws were introduced in 1999 to provide additional protection to these early returning fish and remain in force.