Salmon: Icon of the Pacific Northwest

Published: October 07, 2009

Salmon are an integral part of the North Cascades? ecosystem. Every year, adult salmon swim upstream, a journey that can be hundreds of miles long, to lay their eggs in the river or creek where they were born. The eggs hatch during the winter, and after a short incubation period, the young salmon (called ?fry?) start to move downstream to the ocean. After spending 6 months to 5 years in the open ocean, and often traveling thousands of miles, the full-grown salmon return to their birthplace, where they lay their eggs. Salmon die within a week of spawning, and their bodies release nutrients into the creek and provide sustenance to wildlife, including bears and bald eagles. Many species spawn in the fall, including Chinook, Coho and Pinks.

October is a great month to view salmon as they swim upstream to spawn! Check out these locations to see salmon on their epic journey:

Cle Elum River Salmon Viewing Trail: Drive through Ronald, WA on the Salmon La Sac Highway, turn left onto Lake Cle Elum Dam/Lake Cabins Road, about two miles outside Ronald. Drive southwest on the Lake Cle Elum Dam/Lake Cabins Road less than a mile and follow signs to the viewing trail. (for more information, click here)

Skagit River in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area, near Newhalem

Bacon Creek, a tributary to the Skagit River, 3 miles east of Marblemount

Salmon Viewing on the Entiat River with CDLT