News – FISH

Theodore Koshar’s Eagle Scout project beautified the hatchery grounds with personalized bricks. Over the winter months, installation had stalled, but we are happy to report that the next batch are on their way as we speak. Weather and bricklayer schedule permitting, they will be installed in the next month, and we will keep you posted.

Thank you so much for your support, and look for your bricks to be laid this spring!

The Chinook count is up to 4,827! And, the recent rain has brought the first of them into Issaquah Creek. And, we have jumpers! Few Chinook are being reported at the Shilshole Public Ramp, but the Coho count is picking up! Pretty soon the official count will start tracking the Coho return – presently they have counted about 500 Coho at this time. That forecast is for over 22,000 fish, so we should have lots of Coho action at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery.

Can you spot whether these fish are hatchery-reared or naturally spawned? 

Our favorite salmonids are on their way back! The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) forecast (including the Issaquah Hatchery runs) expects “similar [to last year] Chinook fisheries” and “. . . a strong run of Coho salmon.” All our returning fish pass through the Chittenden (Ballard) Locks where they are counted as they make their way into the Lake Washington basin. Many of the Chinook and Coho are on their way to Issaquah Creek – most of the Sockeye are on their way to the Cedar River. The current count is pictured below:

With these sparse numbers it is unlikely that fishing for the Chinook would be open in the Sammamish River or Lake Sammamish. The official word is on the WDFW site current regulations and Special Rules, which can change from day to day.

The sport catch out of Westport is still excellent. Now most of those fish are headed for the Columbia and other watersheds, but we can hope, can’t we, that some of these fish will continue up the coast to head to Issaquah.

The coho count has not started yet – the forecast is for over 22,000 fish, so that is very heartening!

Our favorite salmonids are on their way back! The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) forecast (including the Issaquah Hatchery runs) expects “similar [to last year] Chinook fisheries” and “… a strong run of Coho salmon.” All our returning fish pass through the Chittenden (Ballard) Locks where they are counted as they make their way into the Lake Washington basin. Many of the Chinook and Coho are on their way to Issaquah Creek – most of the Sockeye are on their way to the Cedar River.

The count as of July 28th is pictured below. This chart, as well as a chart for coho, is updated every couple of days. We’ve linked this chart to the page on the WDFW website where you can see the latest count.

As you can see, only 489 Chinook have been counted so far – our fish are still hanging off in the salt water somewhere. A few Chinook have been reported at the Shilshole Public Ramp, which is right at the entrance to the Locks.

Fishing for our Chinook is occasionally open in the Sammamish River or Lake Sammamish – please check the WDFW site for the current regulations and Special Rules, which can change from day to day.

Additional salmon viewing opportunities around the Puget Sound can be found at the Salmon Seeson website – check it frequently for emerging opportunities!

If there are other fishy topics you would like to see in this blog, please request them in a Comment.

Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (FISH) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to retaining and improving the historic Issaquah Salmon Hatchery and promoting watershed stewardship through education. This will be FISH’s 13th year offering summer day camps that teach about salmon, habitat and watershed stewardship. All day camps take place at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery. This year there are two weeks of camp for 6-8 year olds, one week for 9-11 year olds and two 3-day camps for preschoolers at the hatchery. Camp for 6-11 year olds is called “Salmon Science Camp” and the preschool camp is known as “Little Fry Camp”. In addition, we will be providing programming for YMCA and other groups.

The Summer Naturalist supports FISH’s summer education programs and Education Coordinator (EC). The intern will work with camp staff and volunteers to deliver high quality, hands-on day camps centered on salmon and the ecology and watersheds of the Northwest. Camps have a focus on science, but include arts, games and other elements. Camp takes place indoors and outdoors at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery and surrounding area.

Applications are currently being accepted. Applications close on May 15, 2014.

Fore more information please contact the FISH Education Coordinator at education education@issaquahfish.org.