‘Salmon SEEson:’ look for fish as they return to King County rivers and streams
Published 6:00 pm Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Native salmon have begun their journey home from the ocean to their birthplaces in the streams and rivers of Puget Sound, as they struggle to complete their remarkable lifecycle.
Low snowpack, a dry spring and exceptionally hot summer have made this a tough year for Northwest salmon, which need cool, clear water to reach their home streams and spawn successfully.
While cooler weather and recent rainfall have improved conditions slightly, many rivers and streams are still running warmer and lower than normal – and that means a tougher upstream migration for the sockeye, chinook, coho, chum that return each fall.
The Salmon SEEson program website provides information about ways people can help fish in distress, and tips for wise water use. Saving water helps salmon, people and wildlife – especially this year. Visit www.savingwater.org to learn more.
While fewer fish may be returning to some areas this year, there are still chances to see this natural wonder as the spawning season progresses. Some salmon-viewing opportunities are self-guided, while volunteer naturalists are available at other locations on select dates to help visitors spot the fish and learn about the salmon’s lifecycle and habitat needs.
Salmon-spotting locations in this ninth year of the Salmon SEEson program include new sites along North Creek in Bothell and three sites in the Green-Duwamish Watershed (Whitney Bridge, Soos Creek Hatchery and Longfellow Creek).
For more information on any or all of the sites listed below, visit the Salmon SEEson website, or call 206-477-4704.
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. Additional sponsors include the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed, King County, Duwamish Alive and the Saving Water Partnership.
For more information, visit www.kingcounty.gov/salmon and click on Salmon SEEson, or call206-477-4704.
Look for salmon on these dates at these locations:
Best viewing through September (free tours/talks twice a day)
Chittenden Locks in Seattle (Ballard)
For more info: 206-783-7059, visit www.ballardlocks.org or search web for “Chittenden Locks”
Sponsored by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Best viewing through October (self-guided)
Duwamish River, Tukwila: North Wind’s Weir, 2914 S. 112th St., and Codiga Park, 12585 50thPl. S.
More info at: info@duwamishalive.org or www.DuwamishAlive.org
Sponsored by Duwamish Alive Coalition
Best viewing through October
Locations along the Sammamish River Trail in Redmond
Call or email for details: 425-556-2822 or pholte@redmond.gov
Sponsored by City of Redmond
Best viewing daily through November (self-guided)
(Drop-in tours 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. on weekends, Sept. 12-Nov. 15)
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)
Best viewing through November (self-guided)
Locations along North Creek Trail in North Creek Business Park
Start at trail behind Country Inn and Suites at 19333 North Creek Pkwy., Bothell
For more information: 425-486-2768, ext. 4416 or janet.geer@ci.bothell.wa.us
Sponsored by City of Bothell
Best viewing through December (self-guided)
Whitney Bridge Park on the Green River
212th Way SE and SE Green Valley Road, near Auburn
For more info: 206-280-9551 or troy@midsoundfisheries.org
Sponsored by Mid-Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group
Best viewing through mid-October (self-guided)
Issaquah Creek boardwalk in Lake Sammamish State Park (free with Discover Pass)
http://www.parks.wa.gov/533/Lake-Sammamish or www.lakesammamishfriends.org
Sponsored by Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park
Best viewing through October
Open daily, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Soos Creek Hatchery, 13030 Auburn-Black Diamond Rd.
For more information: 253-931-3950
Managed by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Best viewing late September to mid-November (self-guided daily during KIS Farm hours)
Bear Creek in Redmond, 12526 Avondale Rd. NE
For info on docent-led visits: Linda at 425-882-1846 or lyhussey@comcast.net
Sponsored by ROSE (Redmond Organization of Shared Environments)
Sept. 30 and Oct. 7 (3-6 p.m.); Oct. 3, 4, 10 and 11 (1-4 p.m.)
Bear Creek in Woodinville, on the Tolt Pipeline trail
For more information, including possible additional dates: gandksmith@hotmail.com or 425-885-1250
Sponsored by Water Tenders
October through December (self-guided)
Along Longfellow Creek in West Seattle
Start at the corner of 28th Avenue SW and SW Dakota Street
For more info: 206-297-7002 or michelle@pugetsoundkeeper.org
Sponsored by Puget Soundkeeper Alliance and City of Seattle
Through October (self-guided)
Contact 425-452-5200 or streamteam@bellevuewa.gov to learn where fish have been spotted
Sponsored by City of Bellevue
Oct. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25 (11 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Several locations along the Cedar River near Renton
For more information: 206-792-5851 or http://www.seattleaquarium.org/salmon-journey
Sponsored by the Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Public Utilities, City of Renton, King County Flood Control District, the Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish (WRIA 8) Salmon Recovery Council,and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Weekends from Nov. 7 to Dec. 6 (11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sat. & Sun.), and Nov. 27 with special activities 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Piper’s Creek in Seattle’s Carkeek Park
For more info: 206-684-5999, bill.malatinsky@seattle.gov orhttp://tinyurl.com/3fe6a78
Sponsored by City of Seattle
Early November through late January (self-guided)
Ebright Creek at the East Lake Sammamish Trail, Sammamish, and Lewis Creek at 185th Place SE, Issaquah
Call first to learn if fish are present: 206-477-4746
Sponsored by City of Sammamish, City of Issaquah and King County
