Salmon Viewing Programs

 

 

Every year we await the return of the salmon. Truly one of nature’s most impressive scenes – graceful, powerful fish struggling up rapids, leaping over rocks, returning to the rivers of their birth after migrating almost unimaginable distances, giving their life to make new life. Washington Trout encourages you to get outdoors, witness this remarkable event, and reflect on the important role these wild fish play in our lives.

 

 

Listed below are some upcoming salmon viewing programs not provided by Washington Trout. For the more solitary among you, we are putting together a list of good locations, general times, and viewing guidelines which will be up on the website shortly. Please be considerate of the salmon and take the time to reflect on their journey to the sea and back again, the obstacles they’ve faced, and what efforts need to be made to improve conditions for next year’s runs.

 

Dated Salmon Viewing Programs:

 

Meet the Salmon at Bear Creek

Dates and Times:

• Saturday, September 28, 1-4pm
• Thursday, October 3, 3-6pm
• Saturday, October 5, 1-4pm

Description:  Catch a glimpse of spawning salmon in the fall, courtesy of King County Water Tenders and Bear Creek Basin Steward, Ray Heller. Volunteers will be available to answer questions, pass out salmon identification keys and other information about Bear Creek,

Directions: Come to the bridge where the Tolt Pipeline Trail crosses Bear Creek. The easiest way to get there is to park where the trail crosses Mink Rd at about 148^th and walk east on the pipeline trail for about ¼ mile. There will be signs along Avondale Rd directing you to Bear Creek Rd and then north along Mink Rd.

Also:  There will also be volunteers on Cottage Lake Creek in the Crossings. Turn east off Avondale Rd on 143^rd. Stay on the arterial until you see a “foot traffic only” sign on your left. Walk down that path. This is a good place to see chinook.

For more information,call (206) 296-8391.

 

** You can also see salmon on the Bear Creek during business hours at the Classic Nursery at 12526 Avondale Rd NE.

 

Sammamish River Salmon Salute
Dates and Times: September 28, October 12, October 26 from 1-3pm
Where:  Locations along Sammamish River Trail (within Redmond city limits)
Description:  Come celebrate the annual return of salmon along the Sammamish River. Join naturalists along the trail at "stroll-by" stations to learn more about the salmon journey and why the journey is so vital to the ecosystem. King County DNRP is sponsoring this program in cooperation with the City of Redmond.

For more information, call (206) 296-4171 or email at IPO.parks@metrokc.gov

 

Follow the Salmon up Cedar River

Dates:Oct 19, Oct 26, Oct 27, Nov 2, Nov 3, and Nov 9

Time:  11am-4pm

Where:  Renton Library, Riverview Park, Cavanaugh Pond, and Landsburg Park

Description:  Each fall, you can join volunteer naturalists at sites along the Cedar River to see spawning salmon. Learn about the epic journey that takes place every fall as salmon swim from the ocean, through the Locks, through Lake Washington, and on up the river to spawn. Volunteers tell visitors about the natural and human history of the river, the life cycle and habitat needs of the fish, including Puget Sound chinook salmon, a threatened species. We also learn what we can do to ensure the return of these special creatures.

Sponsored by:  King County Natural Resources and Parks Department, Seattle Aquarium, US Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle Public Utilities, and the City of Renton.

For more information and directions:  Visit http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/pi/cedar-river-journey.htm or call (206) 205-3888.