Spawning salmon run viewing? Where?
 

Hi, Has anyone recently saw some spawning salmons in local river?
I want to take my kids to see them in stream or small river, but I have no idea where to find them.

I went to Tyne Head park Surrey last week couple times, but it is either closed or not much fish in the stream. I am not interested in fishes in the hatching pond either (which is all they have)

I also called Hazelmere Hatchery South Surrey and didn't find much info.

I am asking because recently I think I saw someone posted a picture showing a bunch of red colored spawners swimming in the water in some small stream, but I couldn't find the picture on facebook again and did not write down where it was taken and when.

There is the Fraser River Eagle Festival, up by the Harrison river that it always awesome. Thousands of eagles everywhere basically!

Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival The Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival is one of the largest gatherings of raptors in North America: a two-day event that showcases thousands of bald eagles that return to the valley each fall. Every year we organize

You will see a few dead salmon.

if you are going to try the harrison river, i would also suggest morris valley as it is close by as well.

Is there an actual viewing area in Harrison river for the salmon run or is it just the whole stretch of the river? Ive never been to one of these before but im very curious.

The east side of stave river is probably your best choice right now. Just below Hayward dam is a man made spawning area that is closed to fishing. You should see a crap load of spawning chums and maybe the occasional coho.

Hoy Creek. Its only a few blocks from Coquitlam Centre mall, spawning salmon - hoy creek, coquitlam, british columbia

Is this current?, the website says updated 2004, I hope to find a sure spot to not disappoint my kids and have to drive around looking for nothing.

same boat as wasabi here but instead of kids, it'll be my wife.

OP, you just missed one of the largest salmon runs in BC.

Adams River Salmon Society, Shuswap, BC, Salmon Run, Salute to the Sockeye | The salmon of the North Shuswap

Now you have to wait another 3 years and 11 months. If any of you have kids, you have to take them there. One of nature's best shows - none of this aquarium bullshit. Well worth the drive.

There are quite a few spots.. Stave as someone mentioned, Chehalis/Harrison river.. The best one might be the Capilano river / hatchery. You will see fish moving through the channel in to the hatchery.

Not sure if it's still the case as I moved in 2010, but when I lived in Burnaby, we used to get a few spawning salmon up the creek next to our condo.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.21580.../data=!3m1!1e3

Edit: Looks like a few have been spotted - http://byrnecreek.org

Years ago I saw a bunch of spawning salmon in the little creek that runs through Meridian golf course while I was playing a round. Pretty cool to see so up close. Wish I could have stopped to appreciate them more but the course was busy and we had to keep moving..

I grew up and still live in the area. It's a well known / pretty sure spot. I haven't walked by the area in atleast 2 years but I just might do that tmr and report back lol.

Here

I was out by minnekhada yesterday, ran across a few people stopped on the side of the road watching fish. Not like solid fish, but probably about 50 in that little area moving around

Everyone should experience this kind of thing. The wonders of nature. It will make you think twice before draining that transmission fluid or engine oil down the drain. It wasn't that long ago when fish stocks were dwinding to the point of extinction. Some of you guys should consider taking part/getting involved in the salmonid programmes that are out there in the communities that have rivers and streams with salmon.

Salmonid Enhancement Program | Pacific Region | Fisheries and Oceans Canada

They are looking for volunteers and donations all the time.

I remember one time I helped a friend change the oil in his Tercel at the Foody Goody parking lot in Burnaby near Metrotown. We just dumped it right on the concrete near the back wall.

:failed:

Capilano fish hatchery. Not far. You can see the fish in the river then go in to the hatchery and see them jumping through a narrow canal built with glass walls.

That's okay, the lard and oil Foody Goody dumped out of their restaurant was more toxic to humans and the environment than your used oil, lol. :troll:

bump.

anyone doing some salmon run watching this year?

Apperrnrly the streams that run into burnaby lake are full right now

Based on your username I'd say you have a different motivation for wanting to see salmon.

with all the rain we've had we should have a good run this year? but it's also supposed to be cyclical and this isn't supposed to be a big year based on 4 years ago...

Sockeye Salmon spawn every four years. Others species like pinks, chum, steelheads, coho are anywhere in between. Pinks are two years, for sure.

That doesn't mean other streams and rivers are not full of salmon. It's just that the biggest one locally, is the Adams River and its tributaries - as far as Sockeye go.

You can try and research other rivers on the West Coast, Vancouver Island, Skeena, Rupert areas. Not sure you'd want to go that far. You can always go to Hell's Gate and watch whatever goes through there at this time. Personally, I'd wait for the Adams River run. Every once in a while, two or more big returns of mixed species coincide and make for a really nice spectacle. Again, do some research. It's all fascinating stuff. I used to be involved in the Salmonid program years ago and it was very rewarding. If anyone is interested in saving our wild stocks and don't mind getting your hands and feet dirty, go for it.

You can visit hatcheries, too.

Salmonid Enhancement Program | Pacific Region | Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Click on hatcheries link.



While I'm at it........... say no to farmed Atlantic salmon. There's nothing like Wild Pacific Salmon from our own backyard. We have the best there is. Farmed salmon is not good for our wild stocks. Plus, that farmed shit tastes like shit. Atlantic salmon has no place in BC waters. /rant and sermon.

I was here yesterday. lots to see and a good hike


Goldstream Provincial Park, Salmon Run

I have a creek through my back yard that the salmon spawn in - no need to hike anywhere. ;)