Ian Gleadle/staff photo
Spawning salmon can be seen now in local streams and rivers.

Check out local salmon-viewing locations

Every autumn, our streams and rivers are busy with migrating and spawning salmon. The run begins with the vibrant red Sockeye, followed by the black-spotted Chinook and finally, the Coho, also known as “silvers.”

Traveling in pairs, the fish return to the waters of their birth, looking for cool spots to build their nests, or redds. The females are laden with eggs, up to 10,000 of them, which are placed in the redds.

The males then fertilize the eggs by swimming over the redds, and over the next few days, both the females and males protect their nests from predators, mainly trout. This marks the end of their life cycle.

But in February, a new beginning occurs when the eggs hatch and young salmon set their own course, eventually headed for the ocean. Their time is short, only three to five years, before they, too, will be back to spawn and then die. Those that return are true survivors, as the odds are against them of making it back to their homes alive.

Their journey constantly amazes people who watch the rivers and streams each year in anticipation of seeing this special occurrence. Nature watchers of all ages can get a good view of migrating salmon, especially in Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish and Cedar River watersheds, during the months of October and November.

Upcoming salmon viewing locations and related events include:

• Salmon viewing at the junction of Bear Creek and the Tolt Pipeline Trail, off the end of N.E. 148th St. near Redmond. Details: 425-788-5083 or www.watertenders.org
• Salmon viewing at Rotary Community Park Boardwalk and Trail, at little Bear Creek, 19518 – 136th Ave. N.E. Info: 425398-9327 or www.ci.woodinville.wa.us
• Salmon viewing at Classic Nursery on Bear Creek, 12526 Avondale Rd. N.E. in Redmond. Details: 425-882-1846
• The Issaquah Grand Finale – Oct. 13, at Pickering Farm, S.E. 56th St. and 10th Ave. N.W., along Issaquah Creek. Details: 206-296-1914
• Salmon SEEson – October 27, at the Sammamish River Trail, 15500 N.E. 90th St. in Redmond. Info: 425-556-2822
• Cedar River Salmon Journey talks – Oct. 13, 20, 21, 27 and 28, and Nov. 3, at these locations: Renton Library, Riverview Park, Cavanaugh Pond and Landsburg Park. Details: 206-245-0143 or www.cedarriver.org
• Piper’s Creek Salmon Return and Festivities: weekends from Nov. 3 through Dec. 9. Details: 206-684-0877