Every year in early November tens of thousands of chum salmon return through the recently restored estuary into Chico Creek to spawn. And hundreds of Kitsap residents return to the stream to view the remarkable event! This year the weather was cold but clear and the salmon were easily viewable from the creek.
Great Peninsula Conservancy teamed up with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to welcome Kitsap Salmon Tour visitors at the mouth of Chico Creek with information about the salmon life cycle, healthy fish habitat and the Suquamish Tribe’s recent restoration which Great Peninsula Conservancy now helps protect.
Kitsap Salmon Tours is supported by a tremdous partnership of local organizations including: Chico Salmon Park Stewardship Group, City of Bremerton, City of Poulsbo, Clean Water Kitsap, Clear Creek Task Force, Kitsap County, Kitsap PUD, Kitsap Poggie Club, Mountaineers Foundation, The Mountaineers, Suquamish Tribe, Washington Sea Grant, and WSU Extension.
Missed the event? You can prepare for next year by reading this free version of the Salmon Field Guide. And don’t forget to download your copy of the Salmon Life Cycle. Thanks to WSU Extension for providing such fantastic educational materials!
See more photos of this year’s tours on Facebook!