Where To Spot Salmon In King County As They Return For Spawning Season

KING COUNTY, WA — Autumn is upon us and it's nearing peak time for salmon making their annual journeys home for spawning in rivers and streams around the region.

Every year Pacific salmon populations — like Chinook, sockeye, coho and chum — migrate from the open ocean to their freshwater spawning grounds, while landlocked kokanee journey from Lake Sammamish into nearby streams.

King County's "Salmon SEEson" initiative helps residents and visitors catch a glimpse of the action, from the fish ladder at the Ballard Locks to the Redmond Trestle and the Cedar River. Viewing locations vary, and many are self-guided experiences, while others offer a chance to learn more about salmon and their habitats from on-site naturalists.

Here are a few ideas for where to get started:

Cedar River Park (1717 Maple Valley Hwy, Renton)

• Trained naturalists will be on-site to help visitors spot fish and learn about threats to Chinook, sockeye and coho populations on the following dates:
  • Oct. 1 - 2
  • Oct. 8 - 9
  • Oct. 15 - 16
  • Oct. 22 - 23
  • Times: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Lake Sammamish State Park (2000 NW Sammamish Road, Issaquah)

• Visitors can make use of the boardwalk over the wetlands and learn more through newly installed interactive panels.
• The best chance for viewing arrives in early October.
• From the county: "The best viewing locations in the park are from the bridge crossing Issaquah Creek, along the boardwalk through the wetlands, and at the end of the boardwalk where the creek flows into Lake Sammamish. Murky water can limit viewing. Check the "Friends" website for docent activities and events."

Redmond Trestle (Redmond Central Connector Trail)

• Early morning and late afternoons offer the best chance to spot coho, sockeye and Chinook making their way up the Sammamish River toward the Bear Creek spawning grounds.

Find a complete list and map of viewing opportunities here.

Every year the state works with the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe to count salmon running through the Ballard Locks from the middle of June through early October. Most sockeye pass through the locks by August, followed by Chinook through September and coho that typically migrate between late August and November.

According to county officials, Chinook — the primary food source for endangered Southern Resident orcas — populations continue to be well below recovery goals, along with declines seen in sockeye and kokanee returns in recent years. The "Salmon SEEson" program is part of the county's broader efforts to improve salmon habitats and restore populations by getting more residents engaged with the situation.

"Salmon are a Pacific Northwest icon and a vital cultural, economic, and environmental resource for our region," officials wrote in a news release last week. "Local governments and community groups around King County and Puget Sound are working to recover salmon populations by protecting and restoring habitat, managing stormwater runoff from streets and other hard surfaces, and educating the public about what they can do to help."

>> Learn more about "Salmon SEEson" and find a viewing spot near you on the county's website.