Take some time this fall and see majestic returning salmon during ‘Salmon SEEson’

With summer on the wane and fall fast approaching, it’s time for native salmon to begin the final journey from the open ocean to their place of birth, where they will spawn and continue the lifecycle – the streams and rivers in King County and elsewhere along Puget Sound.

While salmon returns this year are generally smaller than forecast, there will still be a bounty of salmon-viewing opportunities available in the coming months throughout the Lake Washington/Cedar/ Sammamish Watershed, where chinook, sockeye, coho and chum are nearing the end of their epic migration.

Salmon can soon be spotted at parks, from along trails and at other locations at events sponsored by a variety of partners around the watershed. In many cases, naturalists are available to help visitors spot the fish and learn about the salmon’s lifecycle. These naturalists are experts in helping visitors spot camouflaged salmon and can enhance the viewing experience during years with lower returns.

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:

Daily through October – call for details
Locations along the Sammamish River Trail in Redmond
For more info: 425-556-2845 or bsullivan@redmond.gov
Sponsored by the City of Redmond

Every Saturday through Nov. 5, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Issaquah Salmon Hatchery on Issaquah Creek, 125 W. Sunset Way, Issaquah
For more info: 425-392-8025 or www.issaquahfish.org
Sponsored by Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (FISH)

Late September to mid-November; every day (weather dependent) during business hours (self guided)
Bear Creek in Redmond, 12526 Avondale Rd. NE (behind Classic Nursery)
For more info: Linda at 425-882-1846 or lyhussey@comcast.net
Sponsored by ROSE (Redmond Organization of Shared Environments)

Daily through October (self guided)
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 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30 (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. 12 to Dec. 11 (11 a.m. - 2 p.m. each day) and Nov. 25 with special activities, 11 a.m. -1 p.m.
Piper’s Creek in Seattle’s Carkeek Park
For more info: 206-684-5999 or www.seattle.gov/parks/environment/carkeek.htm
Sponsored by the City of Seattle

Early November through late January - new! See kokanee salmon (self guided)
Ebright Creek at the East Lake Sammamish Trail, Sammamish and Lewis Creek at 185th Place Southeast, Issaquah.
Call 206-263-3661 first to make sure fish are visible.
Sponsored by the City of Sammamish, City of Issaquah and King County

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Related information

Salmon SEEson

Salmon and trout topics

King County Water and Land Resources