Salmon SEEson is Here!
It’s Salmon SEEson; time to come out and see salmon returning home to spawn. Pacific salmon – including sockeye, Chinook, coho, pink and chum – have begun the journey from the open ocean to their birthplaces in streams and rivers that feed into Puget Sound. Kokanee, landlocked sockeye salmon that spend their entire lives in the freshwater of Lake Sammamish, can also be seen spawning in streams feeding into the Lake.
The Salmon SEEson program helps people witness this amazing migration at locations around King County. These salmon viewing locations offer the best chances of seeing salmon – particularly during a year when many stocks are returning in below average numbers. In Issaquah, there are many locations, beginning at Lake Sammamish State Park and extending to the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery and beyond.
Lake Sammamish State Park has an excellent public viewing area for salmon and wildlife habitat. The outlet from Issaquah Creek feeds into Lake Sammamish at a peninsula in the park. A boardwalk built through wetlands along the creek gives access to its mouth. Interpretive panels add to the educational experience. In the fall, this is where several salmon species make their final journey from the lake up the creek to the salmon hatchery and beyond.
The opportunity to see most species began mid-September and continues through November, with the best chance of spotting fish in early October. Murky water can limit viewing.
Let us know when you see fish and send photos! Send your photos to director@flssp.org when you or others see salmon returning– anytime during the season!
Salmon SEEson is a King County initiative identifying numerous opportunities to view salmon as they return to spawn in various tributaries around Puget Sound. For more information, visit the Salmon SEEson website
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jason Mulvihill-Kuntz, WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Manager, 206-477-4780
If you decide to visit the park or a self-guided site near you, please remember to recreate responsibly.