Abstract
Groups of hatchery reared juvenile chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) from Conuma River, British Columbia, were tested for compass directional preferences in experimental tanks. Chum salmon generally moved in the direction appropriate for migration through Nootka Sound to the North Pacific Ocean. Fry orientation was not disrupted by covers over the tanks. Stainless steel coded wire tags inserted into the heads of the salmon had little effect, regardless of whether they were magnetized or not. A 90° change in the external magnetic field influenced fry directional movements, but the magnitude and direction of the change were not readily explainable.