Kokanee salmon return to Redmond by the thousands, largest numbers seen in 10 years

REDMOND, Wash. – The kokanee salmon have returned to some of the rivers and streams in Redmond in the largest resurgence seen in over a decade.

Environmentalists say the salmon rely on Lake Sammamish as an important part of their life-cycle.

Now that they are returning to the nearby streams by the thousands, Redmond city officials say it’s a reason to celebrate.

The kokanee salmon, pictured below in Ebright Stream, could be seen returning to the area to spawn on Friday.

The health of the iconic fish took a drastic dive about seven years ago when Redmond Mayor Angela Birney says just over a dozen returned to local streams and waterways.

“It’s really amazing that we counted the number we did. About 7,800 kokanee this year, which is pretty phenomenal considering in 2017-2018 they only counted 19,” said Birney. “I think it’s pretty phenomenal.”

Called the “Little Red Fish” by the Snoqualmie Tribe, this year marked the strongest return in 10 years, according to Redmond city officials.

“This resurgence of kokanee in our lake and our streams is really indicative of all the work we’ve done regionally to create a better salmon habitat,” said Birney.

Birney says the comeback involved a joint effort by municipalities and the tribes with Redmond specifically working to improve habitat in areas like Bear Creek.

“We are creating those natural swales and opportunities for the small salmon or fry to hide out so they can grow to adulthood, so that is some of what we are doing,” said Birney.

Unlike the larger sockeye salmon, the “little red fish” don’t migrate to the ocean. King County officials say they migrate from streams as inch-long fry and spend three to four years in lakes. Then, they return to spawn in the streams where they were born.   That’s why local water quality is important.

“I don’t think people realize how much their own lives in the city can impact what ends up in our environment,” said Birney.

The mayor says the city has also asked the community to do its part in protecting the water quality in the streams.  She says some of those efforts include:

• Using car washes that recycle water

• Avoiding washing vehicles at home

• Disposing of toxins properly

• Avoiding dumping oil & paint down the drain

Birney says the work isn’t over, and there will be more restoration efforts coming in the years ahead. Officials also hope that one day the salmon will return to all the creeks they previously used. 

“We really want to create an opportunity for tribes to be able to go back to their traditional fishing methods and the only way that is going to be sustainable is if we do the work to create a better environment for the fish,” said Birney.

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