Where to View Salmon Spawning in Kitsap County This Autumn

Every year Washington State University Kitsap County extension sponsors Kitsap Salmon Tours: a day of salmon viewing during spawning season. Here’s more information about the events and where to see the salmon, including Kitsap Salmon Tour viewing locations. If you click an individual item, the listing will include an address and map for the site.

Kitsap Salmon Viewing

During the fall in the Pacific Northwest, salmon return from the ocean up the rivers to spawn.

During the fall in the Pacific Northwest, salmon return from the ocean up the rivers to spawn. Salmon are an anadromous species, which means they begin their life in freshwater, and then swim to saltwater, where they mature. Some salmon can stay in the ocean for up to seven years.

After that, the salmon will swim back to its home stream, lay eggs, and die. A useful resource for reading more about the salmon’s life cycle is here. In Autumn, you can see spawning salmon around the area at local rivers, creeks, and fish ladders.

In Kitsap County, Washington State University Kitsap Extension sponsors Kitsap Salmon Tours every fall, usually in early November. It’s a great event for kids who enjoy seeing the salmon swimming in the creeks. At the end of this post are the locations and date for this year’s salmon tour events…but you can go on other days as well to catch a glimpse of the fish.

Below is an infographic about what types of salmon you can find in the Pacific Northwest. During November, in Kitsap streams, you’re most likely to find chum and coho salmon spawning.

Some Considerations When Viewing the Salmon

• Bringing polarized sunglasses will cut the glare and give you a better view of the fish.
• Check pet restrictions for the area you’re visiting. You may need to leave Fido at home, but at least have him on a leash and keep him quiet.
• Kids can get excited about the fish, but remember to keep them from disturbing/trying to touch the fish.
• Remember to prepare for the possibility of wet weather around here in November. Even if it doesn’t look like it might rain, you might be surprised. And, even if not, you may encounter some boggy, slippery ground near streams.

Kitsap Salmon Viewing Places and Salmon Tours Times

Here are the times of WSU-sponsored Kitsap Salmon Tour events this year. You can also find them on WSU’s website. Most of the day’s events happen from 11-3, but there are two tour times for the events at Keta Legacy Rhododendron Preserve.

But if you don’t make it on the Kitsap Salmon Tour days, you can always navigate to these areas on other days. You won’t have the benefit of the educators or volunteers, but you may catch a glimpse of the salmon, anyway.