The Adams River – Salmon Arm

As mentioned above, this is one of our most well-known salmon spawning runs for a reason. For the first three weeks in October, you’ll be able to see over 10,000 salmon making their annual journey upstream to spawn. Although 2017 isn’t expected to be a record-setting year for spawning salmon here, the river promises beautiful views and if you time it right you’ll still see a bunch of fish. The best place to view them is in Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park, named after one of our province’s most well known fishing writers and salmon conservationists. Also, plan to visit the the 2018 Salute to the Sockeye Festivalthat a local non-profit puts on every 4 years when the runs are at their peak.

Sockeye salmon piling up in the Adams River.

Capilano River Salmon Hatchery – North Vancouver

This hatchery is a favourite of both tourists and locals in the North Vancouver area, and is by far the most accessible place to see salmon in the Lower Mainland. Right up the road from the entrance to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, there’s a large information centre connected to it that educates visitors on the entire spawning cycle and various viewing areas to see the fish in action. There’s a working hatchery here, and the spawning salmon swim right into the tanks which have windows that you can peer into. Also adjacent are a bunch of trails to hike which give a fantastic view of the salmon spawning. During October and November, you’ll be able to spot Chinook making their way upstream, and various other salmon species make their way through here all year long.

Coho salmon spotted through the glass at Capilano.

Thacker Regional Park, Hope

This park is 11 hectares located in Hope, BC near Kawkawa Lake. One of the main attractions of the region at this time of year, the river welcomes an abundance of spawning Coho, Pink and Chum salmon. Visit in October to catch the start of the spawning season and hike a short 1 km trail to a viewing point with information about the salmon cycle.

Weaver Creek Spawning Channel – Harrison Mills

This 3 km–long spawning channel is unique in that it was created by the federal government in 1965 specifically to accommodate the spawning salmon in the area. The idea was to build the channel as an undisturbed extension of Weaver Creek to protect the salmon from natural elements as they lay their eggs. Visitors can spot up to 45,000spawning Chum, Sockeye and Pink salmon. Sockeye spawn between October 6th and November 1st, so plan a trip out at this key time.

The Weaver spawning channel.

Mamquam Spawning Channel – Squamish

The crazy thing about the Mamquam River is that it’s practically right in the middle of the town of Squamish. Squamish is a favoured outdoor recreation region and it’s also a fantastic place for watching Coho, Chum and Pink salmon spawning between August and November. If you walk along the main trailhead toward the river (which is unmarked), you’ll eventually reach the river’s edge, where you’ll find an interpretive sign explaining the spawning cycle. Keep walking along the shoreline and the spawning channels will soon come into view. Also, make your way down to where the river lets out into the Squamish River and that’s where the main action can be found. 2017 is a strong return year for Pink salmon, so visit late in summer and you’ll see thousands of them.

Harrison River – Harrison Mills

The Harrison River is truly a salmon spawning dream. As one of the largest salmon-producing channels in the Fraser River area, Harrison River has all five species of salmon as well as a large population of sea-run Cutthroat trout. From late summer through autumn, you’ll be sure to spot some incredible salmon spawning action: Sockeye in August to September; Chinook in October to November; Chum between the end of September and the third week of October; and Coho at the beginning of October.

A spawned out Chum salmon after completing its life cycle.

Chapman Creek – Sechelt

Located on the Sunshine Coast, Chapman Creek Nature Trail is a 1.5- to 2-hour walk along the water’s edge to an important spawning channel for Chum and Coho salmon. The trail itself can be biked or walked and also leads to a small waterfall and hatchery, which breeds Chum, Pink, Coho and Chinook salmon in addition to Cutthroat trout.

Tynehead Hatchery, Surrey

This 2.5 acre hatchery is located in Tynehead Regional Park along the Serpentine River in Surrey and carries four different species of salmon on an annual basis. The Serpentine Enhancement Society relies fully on volunteers to actively replenish and restock all of the locally endangered species of fish in the area by releasing over 250,000 salmon (Steelhead, Coho, Chum and Chinook) into the river.

Hatchery salmon about to be released into the river system.

Source: Vancouver is Awesome