With the return of fall almost here, it’s time for native salmon to begin their final journey home from the open ocean to where they were born—in the streams and rivers of King County and elsewhere along Puget Sound—and where they will spawn and die to continue the lifecycle.
In an encouraging change from the recent trend, salmon returns this year appear to be larger than forecast, so take advantage of the salmon-viewing opportunities available in the coming months throughout the Lake Washington/Cedar/ Sammamish Watershed, where chinook, sockeye, coho and chum salmon are nearing the end of their epic migration.
Salmon can already be spotted at parks, from along
trails and at other locations at events sponsored by
a variety of partners around the watershed—and many more fish are on their way between now and Thanksgiving.
Some spots are self-guided, while some dates and
locations have naturalists available to help visitors spot the fish and learn about the salmon’s lifecycle.
For more information on any or all of the sites
listed below, visit www.kingcounty.gov/salmon and click on Salmon SEEson, or call 206-296-8016. The website features links to information about how you can protect salmon and their habitats.
This program is sponsored by the WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council as part of its effort to recover salmon in the Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed.
See salmon on these dates at these locations:
September and
October – call for details
Locations along the Sammamish River Trail in Redmond
For more info: 425-556-2822 or pholte@redmond.gov
Sponsored by the City of Redmond
Daily to Nov. 10 (guided tours 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays)
Issaquah Salmon Hatchery on Issaquah Creek, 125 W. Sunset Way, Issaquah
For more info: 425-392-1118 or www.issaquahfish.org
Sponsored by Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (FISH)
Late September to mid-November; every day during business hours
Self-guided visits to Bear Creek in Redmond, 12526 Avondale Rd. NE, Redmond (behind KIS Farm)
For more info: Linda at 425-882-1846 or lyhussey@comcast.net
Sponsored by ROSE (Redmond
Organization of Shared Environments)
Throughout October
Self-guided visits to Mercer Slough fish ladder on Kelsey Creek in Bellevue
Call or email first: 425-452-5200 or streamteam@bellevuewa.gov
Sponsored by City of Bellevue
October 6, 7, 13,
14, 20, 21, 27 and 28
(11 a.m.-4 p.m. each day)
Five locations along the Cedar River near Renton
For more info: 206-245-0143 or www.cedarriver.org
Sponsored by Friends of the Cedar River Watershed
On weekends from Nov.
10 to Dec. 9 (11 a.m.-2 p.m. each day) and 11/23 with special activities 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Piper’s Creek in Seattle’s Carkeek Park
For more info: 206-684-5999 or bill.malatinsky@seattle.gov
Sponsored by City of Seattle
Early November through late January – Lake Sammamish kokanee salmon
Self-guided visits to Ebright Creek at the East Lake Sammamish Trail, Sammamish, and Lewis
Creek at 185th Place Southeast, Issaquah
Call 206-263-3661 first to see if fish are present.
Sponsored by the City of Sammamish, City of Issaquah and King County
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