salmon spotting

Salmon Return After Successful Home Coming Event

Isaac Nelson of DFO points out markings on the chum salmon held by HSWS hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard at the Salmon Come Home festival on Oct. 23 (HSWS photo)

Our annual Salmon Come Home event, held in partnership with the City of Coquitlam, took place on October 23, a beautiful cool dry autumn day. The popular community event has grown over the years, along with the forest area around the hatchery, so the event has expanded to include the Douglas College parking area. Salmon Come Home celebrates the life cycle of salmon, which spend their adult lives at sea and then return to the creeks where they hatched to spawn and die.

Thanks to the support of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, live salmon talks were provided each hour during the event, led by Isaac Nelson (DFO) and assisted by hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard. Live chum salmon were brought in from the Coquitlam River, as with the low rainfall, the streams had not risen to provide them passage.

That all changed on October 24, as enough rainfall had occurred to bring the chum salmon home.

A chum salmon jumps in Hoy Creek on Oct. 24 (HSWS photo)

Society members had the 10-month-old coho fry out for viewing adjacent to the rearing pond and visitors learned about the returning species. The hatchery incubation room was also on display.

Families were provided the opportunity to plant spruce seedlings or wildflower seeds in peat pots to take home.

Maple Creek Streamkeepers got people up close to examine a salmon dissection.

Members of Maple Creek Streamkeepers at the salmon dissection table (HSWS photo)

Over at the Douglas College site, live entertainment was provided by Elaina Buenaventura, Etienne Siew, and Erzsi Institorisz. Many other local environmental groups were on site. Other activities include the popular Nylon Zoo and costume parade with Angela Brown, food trucks and an explore nature contest.

Now that the salmon have begun their return, check out our Salmon Spotting Tips. Typically, chum salmon return to local creeks from early October to mid-November and coho from late October to mid-December. Return dates of salmon fluctuate annually based on weather conditions.

Families learn about the salmon species and view coho fry outside the rearing pond at Hoy Creek Hatchery (HSWS photo)

A beautiful fall day for Salmon Come Home on Oct. 23 at Hoy Creek Hatchery (HSWS Photo)

Chum Salmon Have Returned to Hoy and Scott Creeks

Chum Salmon Oct. 10 2021.jpeg

The Thanksgiving long weekend was the first sighting of chum salmon returning to the streams. The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society has a salmon survey underway where a group of volunteers head out weekly to assess one area of Hoy Creek. This area is 750m from the Johnson St. pond to the hatchery bridge. Six chum were spotted within a two-hour window in one area.

There has been a steady show since.

This comes as great news as the Society will host the Salmon Come Home event on Sunday, Oct. 24 in partnership with the City of Coquitlam.

Society volunteers will be busy over the upcoming weeks with broodstock collection under the leadership of hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard.

If you plan to check out the salmon, reference our Salmon Spotting Tips.

Way-finding signs helping residents navigate Hoy Creek Linear Park

A newly installed way-finding sign at the junction of Hoy Trail just north of the Guildford Way trail entrance.

Thanks to the City of Coquitlam, making your way around the Hoy Creek Linear Park just got a whole lot easier!

In October trailhead signs were put in place as well as interpretational signs along the trail providing information on the history of the hatchery, the work of our Society and what you can expect to find along the watershed from salmon species to slugs.

Last week, way-finding signs were put in place at trail crossing areas and key locations to help navigate the area.

“Having all the signage in place has been a real bonus, in particular, that we were unable to host our Salmon Come Home event this year,” said Society president, Robbin Whachell. “With such a great return of chum salmon, visitors to the Hoy Creek Linear Park had a lot to see! The signage is a huge asset to the public.”

To celebrate the return of the salmon, the City of Coquitlam has created a map of prime viewing areas around the city as well as a children’s nature scavenger hunt to enjoy in the great outdoors. 

Check out our Salmon-spotting Tips.

Salmon-Spotting Map and Scavenger Hunt Released by City of Coquitlam

Click to open this activity page and download from the City of Coquitlam website.

Click to open this activity page and download from the City of Coquitlam website.

While the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society has cohosted our Salmon Come Home event with the City of Coquitlam for over 25 years, this year will be different. 

Salmon Come Home has been canceled due to pandemic regulations, but we're excited to tell you that it's prime viewing for chum salmon in Hoy and Scott Creeks. Chum salmon started arriving on Thanksgiving weekend.

To celebrate the return of the salmon, the City of Coquitlam has created a map of prime viewing areas around the city as well as a children’s nature scavenger hunt to enjoy in the great outdoors. 

Head out and enjoy the fall colours and all the wonders of nature.

Check out our Salmon-spotting Tips.

Enjoy the salmon-spotting season!