The trip to the ocean is very dangerous because of all the predators and man made obstacles along the way. They swim at night and hide during the day. Fish which are born in fresh water, but migrate to the ocean where they spend most of their adult life are called anadromous fish. In Alaska there are seven species of anadromous salmonids. For several weeks or months, the smolts live in the estuaries.
Estuaries are where the river meets the ocean.
Eating tiny shrimp, other crustaceans and the young of other saltwater fishes, they grow very fast. Finally, they disappear into the vast ocean. How far a salmon travels in the ocean and the direction it goes can vary. Many salmon travel along with the ocean currents in circular routes. Some wander as far as 2,000 miles from their stream.