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September 30, 2024

See salmon spawn

wildlife viewing

It's an iconic part of life in the Pacific Northwest—salmon returning to their natal rivers after years at sea to spawn and then die. ODFW fish biologists recommend the following locations to catch a glimpse of salmon spawning.

The best salmon spawning viewing is typically mid-September through December peaking in late October and early November, depending on the area.

How can you tell salmon are spawning? Look for physical changes (like color and body condition) and behavioral ones (salmon gathering in gravel beds and laying on their side thrashing their tails and bodies to build spawning nests).

Please respect the fish and their journeys back to the places where they hatched. Be sure to watch spawning from a distance; binoculars help you get a closer look without disturbing fish. Don't disturb fish or walk on redds during or after spawning.

Spawned salmon — Photo courtesy McKenzie River Trust/ODFW

Signs to look for:

Color changes: As salmon approach their spawning period, the sex hormones released turn their color from silver to shades of red, pink, or orange. The change is most noticeable in sockeye, coho and kokanee (landlocked sockeye). As spawning progresses, their color darkens and they may develop spots or patches.

Physical changes: Males develop hooked jaws (called a "kype") and exaggerated teeth (needed to fight other males for access to females). Their bodies also become longer and they develop a humpback, especially pink salmon.

Behavior changes: Watch for salmon gathering together on gravel beds where females dig nests (aka redds) with their tails.

Digging redds: Look for disturbances in the riverbed. Female salmon shake their tails to dig shallow depressions in the gravel, where they will lay eggs.

Aggressive behavior: Male salmon will fight with each other for access to females; you may see salmon biting and chasing each other.

Decay and death: After spawning, salmon's bodies quickly decay, with fungal infections and skin sloughing off common. They will be sluggish or even float downstream after spawning.

Pacific salmon die after spawning—so a roughed up looking salmon carcass along the river is actually a good sign, meaning the salmon has completed its life cycle. The carcasses provide important nutrients for stream ecology. Steelhead can be an exception; some return to the ocean and come back to live to spawn another day.

Following is a list of some places where you might catch a glimpse of salmon spawning. It's always a good idea to check that access is open before heading out; there can be fire-related closures especially early in the fall or after a large fire.

Male Coho — During spawning season, males fight to assert their dominance over other males and to court a female. They will often bite others with their large teeth or may even use their body to fight. Pictured: Two coho bucks fighting last winter during spawning season in the Clatskanie River near the headwaters. Photo by Mahima White.

NORTHWEST REGION

Clackamas County area

The best time for viewing is mid-September to mid-October for spring Chinook and the month of November for coho.

Wildwood Recreation Site (Highway 26, near Welches), a BLM recreation site, has a fish viewing window and walking paths where people can see fish spawning in the Salmon River (Sandy tributary).
Metzger Park (5 miles south of Estacada), a Clackamas County Park, has good access to Clear Cr (Clackamas tributary).
Tributaries in the Columbia River gorge often have fish and have well used trails. Eagle Creek is probably the most popular.
Old Salmon River Trail near Mt Hood

Corvallis area

Packsaddle Park on the North Santiam can be good for seeing Chinook spawn in September.

Tillamook area

Cedar Creek (Wilson River)- off Hwy 6 at Jones Cr. turnoff

Wilson River- at ODF Forest Center

NF Trask River- along forest road (between mile 1 and 2)

SF Trask River- along forest road (from Bill Cr. to the bridge crossing about 3 miles up the gravel portion of the road is a good stretch)

Rock Creek (Nehalem River tributary) at Hwy 26 rest area; also in city parks in Vernonia (can be hit or miss here)

Elk Creek (Nestucca River tributary)- along forest road

Newport area

First half of November is best time for viewing in these spots.

NF Alsea at Clemons Park. Long time salmon watch area with a few hundred Chinook. There is a trail along the river for viewing purposes.

Salmon River – Van Duzer corridor

Siletz – Drift Cr. near the Mennonite Camp, easy access but will take a little walking.

Siuslaw – Whittaker Cr. campground

Springfield area

Spring Chinook spawn in September in this area.

Spawning salmon — Photo courtesy McKenzie River Trust/ODFW

McKenzie Basin

Mainstem McKenzie in front of Leaburg Hatchery

Various pullouts along the McKenzie Highway between Leaburg Lake and Blue River.

South Fork McKenzie blow Cougar Dam

The Carmen Smith Spawning Channel near Trail Bridge Dam (should clear entry with the Eugene Water and Electric Board)

Lost Creek near Limberlost Campground

Middle Fork Willamette Basin

Below Dexter Dam

Coast Fork Willamette Basin

Below Dorena Dam downstream to the Row River Nature Park

Portland

Westmoreland Park (Crystal Springs Creek)

SOUTHWEST REGION

Douglas County

Late October/early November is peak fall Chinook spawning season.

South Umpqua River at the Roseburg Visitor's Center; Happy Valley Boat Ramp in Green; Lower Cow Creek (Douglas County Road 39) and Stanton Park in Canyonville.

Umpqua River at Myrtle Island in Tyee.

North Umpqua River directly below Soda Springs Dam, late September through mid-October.

Coho salmon spawn in late November through early December. Moderate to difficult walking along these tributaries can reward viewers:

South Umpqua River at Deer Creek (Roseburg), Myrtle Creek, and the Upper South Umpqua below Tiller. Island Creek Day Use Area and Long Fibre Park on Cow Creek are also excellent.

North Umpqua River at Little River along Highway 138.

Umpqua River at Dean Creek, Scholfield Creek, Paradise Creek, Weatherly Creek, Brush Creek, Calapooya Creek, and Wolf Creek.

Smith River at West Fork Smith River; North and Sisters creeks; North Fork Smith River; and Spencer Creek on BLM lands.

Coos County

Fall Chinook spawn late October through mid-December with peak spawning in mid-November. Best viewing areas include:

West Fork Millicoma River beginning with the Millicoma Interpretive Center near Allegany. The center is wheelchair accessible and kid-friendly. For the next few miles upstream, many spawning areas are visible from a vehicle.

The mouth of Glenn Creek about six miles upriver from Allegany.

Tioga Creek which can be accessed from Middle Creek Road above Fairview.

LaVerne Park on the North Fork Coquille River. Salmon are seen in the swimming hole area and jumping at the falls. They also can be seen spawning above the boulder weirs just upriver from the upper park boundary.

Frona Park on the East Fork Coquille River near Dora.

Baker Creek gravel bar/access site on the South Fork Coquille River.

Daniels Creek Road, along the last few miles of paved road before it turns to gravel.

Coho salmon spawning peaks in December in the Coos River system. In the Coquille River system, coho spawning peaks in late December to early January. Coho can be seen spawning at the following locations:

Millicoma Interpretive Center.

Marlow Creek. One mile past Allegany, turn left onto County Road which eventually turns into State Forest Road 1000. Salmon can sometimes be seen from a vehicle.

LaVerne Park.

East Fork Coquille River above the mouth of China Creek, about three miles upriver of Dora.

Steel Creek, a tributary of East Fork Coquille River at Dora.

Middle Creek above the fish ladder, about two miles upstream from the BLM's Middle Creek Recreation Site. Spawning salmon can be seen from a vehicle.

Moon Creek about three miles upriver of LaVerne Park. Salmon can be seen spawning on gravel trapped by logs placed during fish habitat improvement projects as part of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds.

Rogue Valley

Fall chinook spawn early October through early January. Peak viewing is October through November.

Bear Creek off the Pine Street Bridge and downstream of the pedestrian bridge at Railroad Park in Central Point; by the Rogue Valley Mall (McAndrews Road bridge) near Hawthorne Park, and other locations on the Bear Creek Greenway.