smolt

American  

[smohlt] / smoʊlt /

noun

1. a young, silvery salmon in the stage of its first migration to the sea.

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smolt British  

/ sməʊlt /

noun

1. a young salmon at the stage when it migrates from fresh water to the sea

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Etymology

Origin of smolt

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English; perhaps akin to smelt ²

Example Sentences

After they hatch, the baby fry and juveniles, called smolt, begin migrating downstream, typically via San Francisco Bay, and out to sea.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2024

On a recent morning in March, while dew was still on the road, there occurred the salmon smolt mishap of Northeast Oregon.

From New York Times • Apr. 3, 2024

The department seasonally conducts trapping of downstream migrating smolt, or juvenile salmon, in freshwater watersheds statewide.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 26, 2024

Developmental stages—the transitions between the eggs, fry, parr, smolt, and returning salmon—are governed by changes in water temperature, and warmer waters can disrupt the salmon’s life cycle by triggering stunted growth or premature hatching.

From The New Yorker • Aug. 7, 2019

Shortly after assuming the smolt dress, the young salmon takes its departure to the sea.

From Amateur Fish Culture by Walker, Charles Edward