Salmon at the Locks

fish ladder annual maintenance schedule

WHEN ARE THE BEST TIMES TO SEE SALMON?

Peak viewing times are listed below. Even during peak times, you may not actually see Salmon in the Fish Ladder or Viewing Windows for a variety of reasons, such as low tides, hot weather, etc.

(< watch video and learn more)

Coho (Silver) - Average around 25,000 per year, peak viewing in September.

Three species of Pacific Salmon pass through the Locks during the summer months and travel 40-50 miles upriver to spawn:

Chinook (King) - Average around 15,000 per year, peak viewing in August.

The Fish Ladder Viewing Room has been renovated, thanks to generous public donations exceeding $1 million. Donations are still needed for exhibits. You can help by adding your name to the salmon legacy wall.

(See daily and annual salmon counts

The fish ladder system is closed, drained, inspected and repaired as needed in mid-May and closed for 2 weeks or longer, check News or call visitor center for status.

Sockeye (Red) - Runs have been declining but remain the largest run. Numbers vary widely, 20,000-100,00+ per year, Peak viewing mid-June to mid-July.

Fish ladder maintenance schedules carefully coordinate with both salmon migration seasons and ship traffic.

The new Salmon Education Center, renovated with public donations, now offers improved seating, & ventilation, plus a videowall and interactive touchscreens to learn about the life cycle of the salmon.

Dedicated August 2021