The Salmon Lifecycle

For third-grade students at Annunciation Catholic School, science came to life as they spent several weeks caring for salmon eggs until they hatched. A representative from Delta Fly Fishers—an organization that partners with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and is dedicated to the art of fly fishing with an emphasis on conservation—delivered the eggs directly to the classroom. She answered many curious questions and prepared them to support the salmon in this first stage of their lifecycle.

Once the eggs hatched, the class took a trip to the Mokelumne River, where they released their fishy friends into the wild. Students also toured the hatchery, deepening their understanding of the salmon lifecycle.

This hands-on lesson not only builds a strong foundation in science, but also reinforces the importance of environmental stewardship—a value that is foundational to our faith. As students witnessed the salmon’s journey from river to ocean and back—entirely dependent on a clean, healthy environment—they were inspired to care for and protect God’s creation.