My daughter wants to take my grandson to see some salmon spawning. preferably within 40 miles of Redmond. Suggestions?

Wallace hatchery? Should be a ton coho in there right now. or there may be some chum at carkeek in the creek.

Hwy 101 near Skokomish is about 40 miles as the crow flies. Wouldn't even have to step out of the car.

In the Road

Dave, two weeks ago the hatchery in Issaquah was stuffed with kings, and the creek around the hatchery was stuffed with kings...probably plenty at the Wallace, too, but not much of a viewing area.

Fish on...

Todd

Looks like there are already a few in at Carkeek

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9GGNYFSlUQ

I'd say take them to Kennedy Creek west of Olympia off of Hwy 101. They even have guides who walk you up the section of stream, giving information as you go.

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/10/25/2296998/chum-salmon-spawning-to-begin.html

My kids have been on this trail walk a few times. A must see for folks who haven't done it with their kids.

Bridge over Tokul Creek near the confluence with the Snoqualmie. Can be a bunch there if the weir is in and the water is low enough.

Dave,

Definitely the Issaquah Salmon hatchery! I stopped by the other day. Kings, coho, and a few sockeye. Great place to view them in the holding ponds and in the creek itself. Easy access and if you call ahead they will tell you the days they are spawning fish and your grandson will get to see the whole process...pretty cool for a youngster! My kids had a blast.

CM

If they don't want to do the hatchery scene might consider the Cedar River. The sockeye should getting pretty busy about now

little off topic

I have heard the sockeye spawn in the Adams River in BC can be phenomenal. We have made the drive to Banff-but timing was not in synch with the run-I would imagine that is now.

Soos creek on the Green.

Watching a hatchery spawning show is probably not the best way to introduce the grandson to the concepts of salmon reproduction and ecology. Kind of leaves out some important parts of the story. I agree that Kennedy Creek is a good way to see wild fish completing their cycle in a natural stream. When you are done, you can drive up to Taylors and get some shellfish for dinner.

Once every 4 years, and I forget which is the on-cycle year, the Adams is/was beyond amazing. They have nice walkways, viewing platforms, and lots of information. When i was there I thoink the escapment was in the couple million range. It has fallen recently, for a number of reasons. It should be a "must see"for any fish bio or person truly interested in seeing what fish can do.

I made the drive and got there about a week too early. it's still on my bucket list. Plus I hear the rainbow fishing behind the spawning sockeye can be phenomenal.


Thanks for all the good ideas guys and gals. I will forward this link to my daughter.

Issaquah or the Cedar would be my choices.. Salmon days was like 3 weeks ago and there should be way more fish in now than there were then i think...

the Cedar has been going for a couple months now, a friend of mine had a pic in a flat that had 50+ fish spawning in a short area... might even take a trip up to the Hatchery by Lansburg...

another option if its in that range, would be Voights Creek, theres a ton of fish in the creek now both above and below the hatchery...

Keta crk has a few and they're spawning them as we speak.

Dave,

I live near Bear Creek in Woodinville. There's a huge sockeye spawn in the creek.

Take a look where Cottage Creek runs under Bear Creek Road (or 133rd, whatever the name is) right by the entrance to Tuscany.

Or park at the Tolt River Pipeline trail on Mink Road by Little Bit. Walk east about 1/4 mile to Bear Creek. Lots of action there, too.

fool

Word!

Issaquah:

Dogwood Street Bridge, Holly Street Bridge, Front Street Bridge, Sunset Way Bridge, ect, ect, ect.

Dave, when you find some please give me a call.