10 Best Places to Experience the Salmon Run Near Vancouver
In British Columbia, salmon hold a special place in both local culture and the economy.
Each fall, these remarkable fish migrate through BC waters, making their way upstream to spawn. It’s an incredible natural event that you won’t want to miss.
If you’re unsure where to go, here’s a list of some of the best places to witness the salmon run.
1. Capilano Hatchery
Website: Capilano Hatchery
Address: 4500 Capilano Park Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4L3, Canada
Contact Details: 604-666-1790
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 8am to 7pm
Since 1971, Capilano Hatchery has been pivotal in supporting the recreational fishery in Burrard Inlet by raising and releasing coho and chinook salmon. Visitors can learn about the salmon life cycle and environmental stewardship through informational plaques and watch salmon leaping up the ladder or swimming in feeding ponds.
Pro Tip: Take a serene stroll on the circular paths around the hatchery.
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2. Bell Irving Hatchery at Kanaka Creek Regional Park
Website: Metro Vancouver
Address: 11484 256 St, Maple Ridge, BC V2W 1H1, Canada
Contact Details: +1 604-970-8404
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 7am to 7pm
The Bell Irving Hatchery, operational since 1983, raises coho and chum salmon, releasing them into various streams across the Lower Mainland. Visitors can watch salmon in earthy ponds, learn about hatchery operations, and feed the fish.
Pro Tip: Enjoy a picnic by the picturesque river with stunning views.
3. Weaver Creek Spawning Channel
Website: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Address: 17780 Morris Valley Rd, Agassiz, BC V0M 1A1, Canada
Contact Details: +1 604-796-9444
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 8am to 4pm
Built in 1965, the Weaver Creek Spawning Channel hosts sockeye, chum, and pink salmon, accommodating about 45,000 spawning fish. It’s an extraordinary experience to see the fish up close in the channels.
Pro Tip: Check the website for optimal salmon viewing times.
4. Little Campbell River Hatchery
Website: Little Campbell River
Address: Surrey, BC V3S 9R9, Canada
Contact Details: +1 778-709-0094
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 8am to 4pm
The Little Campbell River Hatchery is home to diverse plant and animal species. Informative signs along the path explain the salmon life cycle and spawning process. Visitors can see ponds where salmon are raised from eggs to fry before release.
Pro Tip: Consider volunteering to help restore and enhance the Little Campbell River.
5. Salmon Run Boat Tour at Indian Arm
Website: Takaya Tours
Address: North Vancouver, BC, Canada
Contact Details: +1 604-904-7410
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Takaya Tours offers a salmon spawning tour along the Indian Arm River, where you can explore historical village sites and learn about First Nations culture and the salmon.
Pro Tip: Arrive early to secure parking, as it is limited.
6. Tenderfoot Creek Hatchery
Website: Explore Squamish
Address: 1000 Midnight Way, Brackendale, BC V0N 1H0, Canada
Contact Details: +1 604-898-3657
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 8am to 3pm
Tenderfoot Creek Hatchery enhances coho, pink, chum, and chinook salmon stocks in the Squamish River watershed, releasing over 3 million smolts annually. Visitors can take a self-guided tour through the facility or arrange for a guided tour.
Pro Tip: Visit during winter to also see Squamish eagles.
7. Mamquam Spawning Channel
Website: Explore Squamish
Address: 1940 Centennial Way, Squamish, BC V8B 0H3, Canada
Contact Details: 604-815-4994
Operating Hours: Contact for opening hours
The Mamquam Spawning Channels are rich with coho and steelhead salmon. The 4-kilometer trail provides educational signage about the salmon cycle and the importance of spawning channels.
Pro Tip: Keep dogs leashed and supervise children near “Sensitive Habitat Area” signs to protect local wildlife.
8. Tynehead Hatchery
Website: Tynehead Hatchery
Address: 16585 96 Ave, Surrey, BC V4N 2E2, Canada
Contact Details: +1 604-589-9127
Operating Hours: Wednesday: 9am to 12pm, Saturday: 10am to 12pm
Tynehead Hatchery, run entirely by volunteers, raises and releases chinook, chum, coho, and steelhead salmon. Each year, around 250,000 salmon are released into the Serpentine River.
Pro Tip: Explore trails that extend to Fort Langley and Green Timbers Park.
9. Seymour River Hatchery
Website: Seymour Salmonid Society
Address: 2369 Lillooet Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7J 2H9, Canada
Contact Details: +1 778-452-4583
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 6am to 5pm
The Seymour River Fish Hatchery, located in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, is a great spot to learn about salmon and see the efforts of the Seymour Salmonid Society.
Pro Tip: Wear suitable footwear and bring water for the challenging trail to the hatchery.
10. Terminal Creek Fishway and Hatchery
Website: Metro Vancouver
Address: Hummingbird Ln, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G1, Canada
Contact Details: +1 604-224-5739
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 7am to 7pm
Terminal Creek Fishway and Hatchery is perfect for viewing chum and coho salmon. Follow the trail to the lagoon to observe salmon spawning in gravel beds or under Bridal Veil Falls.
Pro Tip: Look for signs to “Crippen Park” and walk about 10 minutes to the observation deck at Fishway, then continue to the hatchery.
