Spawning sockeye salmon [The following is an excerpt from the Adopt-A-Stream Foundation Field Guide to the Pacific Salmon, by Robert Steelquist. We are grateful to Sasquatch Books, 1008 Western Avenue, Suite 300, Seattle, Washington for granting us permission to reproduce this description of salmon spawning.] Salmon spawning is a remarkable phenomenon to behold. Generally, spawning is broken into three types of behavior: redd selection and nest building, courtship and mating, and nest closure. Although individual species differ in certain behaviors, a generalized pattern occurs with all salmon. Redd selection is the task of the female and is based on a variety of factors. Stream velocity, water depth, and gravel size determine the general suitability of a given site. The ability to claim and defend a redd site and the actual physical strength to excavate the nests vary with each fish.