Salmon Return to Renton's Cedar River, Other Area Streams

Salmon have returned to the Cedar River to spawn, and nature lovers are looking for the best vantage points to watch the annual migration.

There are five public locations in Renton and nearby King County that provide excellent viewing of the salmon. They are: Renton Library, Cedar River Park, Riverview Park, Cavanaugh Pond Natural Area and Landsburg Park.

Salmon-watchers can always visit these spots on their own. However, every weekend through the end of October, Friends of the Cedar River Watershed offer free nature programs in these locations from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Salmon returns this year appear to be larger than forecast, said King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks spokesman Doug Williams. 

Most of the chinook and coho that return to Lake Washington ultimately go up Issaquah Creek, to the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery. The hatchery is another excellent place to watch salmon spawn, and it’s a short drive from Renton.

The hatchery is open during daylight hours, and its indoor displays are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. And every Saturday between now and early November, docent-led tours are available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Weekday tours can be arranged by e-mailing volunteer@issaquahfish.org.

King County also maintains a Salmon Seeson web site with a calendar of all the salmon-viewing opportunities in the area. For more info on Renton locations: 206-245-0143 or www.cedarriver.org. Sponsored by Friends of the Cedar River Watershed.

There are opportunities to view the salmon in Sammamish, Issaquah, Belleue, and Redmond. Click here for more program details.