From the ‘what’s that wildlife?’ file: Leaping fish off Alki

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

Tom Wyrick from Alki Arts caught those jumping silver fish on cameraphone video this evening and is wondering what they are. We have googled like crazy (and checked WSB archives) and we don’t know either. Do you?

Megan May 22, 2012 (9:26 pm)

If I had to guess I’d say it was just hatchlings of some sort. We have seen these jumping around in Lake Washington while kayaking on occasion. I don’t know what kind of fish, but I don’t think it’s anything unusual. Just hatchlings feeding on insects.

soundslikepuget May 22, 2012 (9:40 pm)

It’s really hard to tell from the video, but they’re probably smelt.

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/pugetsound/species/smelt.html

westseattledood May 22, 2012 (9:48 pm)

I am viewing on my phone, so not great; but the quick flashes and flopping looks like what smelt do at rivers or the beach. Kind of a unique netting sport for some which I have done only once. The smelt were dredged in flour and pan-fried if anybody is gonna’ try to net them. I don’t think a license is needed but don’t quote me ;). if not that, my other guess is herring?