Where to View Salmon Around Puget Sound

Wildlife

Jul 27

Written By Our Wild Puget Sound

It’s no secret that we’re obsessed with salmon here at Our Wild Puget Sound, and we want you to have the opportunity to meet these incredible fish in the wild, as well, so we assembled the best spots for salmon viewing around the Puget Sound watershed.

General Tips + Best Practices for Viewing Spawning Salmon

Tread Lightly — The reason we get to see these incredible fish so closely is because they’re returning to the rivers and streams where they were born to spawn. Because of that remember to stay on the trail and out of the water, including kiddos and doggos. Salmon spawn in nests called redds and then cover their eggs with gravel, so even if you think you’re treading carefully it’s very possible that there are thousands of vulnerable eggs underfoot.
Viewing with Kids — If you have some less patient members of your viewing group, do a little bit of research beforehand to see if the salmon are running in the stream you’re going to. There are also a few places where the viewing is almost guaranteed and you can see them from unique, interesting perspectives.
- Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, Ballard — Offers an indoor salmon-viewing window and an outdoor salmon ladder.
- Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, Issaquah — The most-visited hatcher in Washington state, open year round and also offers guided tours. They also have a live salmon cam if you want to check in on the salmon from home.
- Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls, Tumwater — A beautiful park just south of Olympia on the Deschutes River with cascading waterfalls and a chance to view salmon navigating three fish ladders
- The Salmon Cascades, Olympic National Park — Fall Coho migrate upstream on the Sol Duc River and are faced with an incredible series of leaps to make it over the waterfall at the Salmon Cascades. It’s an incredible spot to sit, watch, and cheer on these fish as they conquer the river.
Gear Up — Here in western Washington we know the weather can change on a dime and we’ll likely need all the layers. Remember to bring appropriate footwear, cozy outdoor clothing and rain gear. Polarized sunglasses can also help make it easier to spot the fish in the water.
Timing — Salmon can be heading up river anytime, with fall being the peak season. Yearly environment changes can adjust the exact timing of each fall run, so make sure to do a little research or give the park a call beforehand to see if the salmon are visible before you go. In general, Chinook + Sockeye are the first to arrive, around August + September, followed by Coho in October/November, Chum in November/December. Most Pink salmon only come back on odd years and generally start returning around September.
Bring the Excitement Home with You and Get Involved! — There are countless groups doing important restoration work for our local salmon + steelhead populations and they’re always looking for volunteers, donations and extra voices to advocate for these keystone species. Some of our favorites include Long Live the Kings, Save Our Wild Salmon, Wild Fish Conservancy, Wild Salmon Center, Northwest Treaty Tribes, and Wild Steelhead Coalition.
- *If you purchase anything from our shop remember to list one of these orgs during checkout and we’ll direct a portion of your purchase their way!