Community Corner

Salmon Return to Renton's Cedar River

October weekends provide great opportunities to watch salmon, learn more about them from naturalists at parks and fish hatchery.

Salmon have returned to the Cedar River to spawn, and nature lovers are looking for the best vantage points to watch the annual migration.

There are five public locations in Renton and nearby King County that provide excellent viewing of the salmon. They are: Renton Library,Cedar River ParkRiverview ParkCavanaugh Pond Natural Area and Landsburg Park.

Salmon-watchers can always visit these spots on their own. However, every weekend through the end of October, Friends of the Cedar River Watershed offer free nature programs in these locations from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

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Salmon returns this year appear to be larger than forecast, said King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks Spokesperson Doug Williams. 

Most of the chinook and coho that return to Lake Washington ultimately go up Issaquah Creek, to the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery. The hatchery is another excellent place to watch salmon spawn, and it’s a short drive from Renton.

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The hatchery is open during daylight hours, and its indoor displays are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. And every Saturday between now and early November, docent-led tours are available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Weekday tours can be arranged by e-mailing volunteer@issaquahfish.org.

King County also maintains a Salmon Seeson web site with a calendar of all the salmon-viewing opportunities in the area.

See Salmon Spawn in Renton: October 20, 21, 27 and 28 (11 a.m.-4 p.m. each day)

Five locations Renton Library,Cedar River ParkRiverview ParkCavanaugh Pond Natural Area and Landsburg Park) along the Cedar River near Renton. For more info: 206-245-0143 or www.cedarriver.org. Sponsored by Friends of the Cedar River Watershed.

There are opportunities to view the salmon in Sammamish, Issaquah, belleue, Kirkland and Redmond. Click here for more program details.


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