Discover Surrey’s top salmon-viewing sites this fall. Explore the Salmon Spotting map and witness the spectacular 2025 Pacific salmon migration.
A Stunning Comeback in Surrey’s Streams
It’s an extraordinary year for salmon lovers across Surrey! After travelling thousands of kilometres through the Pacific, waves of coho and Chinook salmon are returning home to spawn — and local streams are alive with activity.
The Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) has unveiled its interactive Salmon Spotting map, inviting everyone to witness “one of nature’s most spectacular migrations” across British Columbia. This easy-to-use tool highlights more than 90 viewing sites across Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, and beyond.
Tynehead Hatchery Leads the Charge
At Surrey’s Tynehead Hatchery, excitement is building as over 500 coho and several Chinook salmon have already made their journey back — despite earlier worries about low water levels in the Serpentine River. Even better? Chum salmon are expected any day now.
From mid-October through November, nature enthusiasts can spot salmon at several prime locations, including:
- Tynehead Hatchery (16585 96 Ave.)
- Little Campbell Hatchery
- Chantrell Creek in Elgin Heritage Park
- Little Campbell Estuary, near 8 Avenue and 160 Street
“It’s shaping up to be a fantastic year for salmon spotting,” said Michael Meneer, president and CEO of the Pacific Salmon Foundation. “Favourable ocean conditions and dedicated conservation work by First Nations, streamkeepers, and community groups have made a real difference. These fish are incredibly resilient — and we hope everyone gets outside to see this amazing migration in action.”
Why the Salmon Run Matters
Each year, from late summer to early winter, Pacific salmon return to the very creeks where they were born. They start life in freshwater, spend years feeding in the ocean, and then journey back to spawn — a journey of determination that ends with the next generation’s beginning.
The Salmon Spotting map makes it easy for families and adventurers alike to find viewing areas with trails and safe access points. You can even join the conversation online using #SalmonSpotting, or enter PSF’s contest for a chance to win a two-night hotel stay, a helicopter tour, and a whale-watching adventure.
Fascinating Salmon Facts You’ll Love
- Pacific salmon can swim over 3,000 km upstream — about halfway across Canada!
- These powerful fish can leap up to two metres to clear obstacles, matching Olympic-level jumps.
- A female salmon builds a gravel nest, or redd, for her eggs — anywhere from 1,500 to 7,000, depending on the species.
- British Columbia’s waterways host five Pacific salmon species — sockeye, pink, Chinook, coho, and chum — representing over 400 unique wild populations.
Don’t Miss Nature’s Grand Finale
This fall, Surrey’s rivers and creeks are alive with movement, colour, and renewal. Whether you’re a lifelong salmon enthusiast or a first-time visitor, now’s the moment to experience the magic of the 2025 salmon run.
Grab your boots, bring a camera, and let the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s Salmon Spotting map guide you to one of nature’s greatest comeback stories.
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