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

Since they can’t smolt and become steelhead, they do not have state or federal protections.

From Los Angeles Times

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

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

Mary Valentine, a seasonal scientific technician with the department’s fish program’s science division, was working a smolt trap on Tuesday.

From Seattle Times

The department has temporarily suspended smolt trapping at the Duckabush River.

From Seattle Times