A late salmon spawning season is underway in Marin County.
It promises to be a spectacular site, if you’re up for a hike.
Central California Coast coho salmon are critically endangered. Turtle Island Restoration Network Executive Director Todd Steiner said the salmon are down to 1% to 5% of the historical average and Lagunitas Creek in Marin County is the place to see them.
"One of the best runs left in California and we support here in this little creek about 10% of the remaining population," Steiner told KCBS Radio.
At least 14 coho salmon that enter the watershed through Tomales Bay from the Pacific Ocean to spawn were spotted last week.Serenoa Steiner
The fish spawn with the rainy season, so they are late this year but have been spotted. They leave the Pacific Ocean, swim through the 11 miles of Tomales Bay to get to the spawning area and then continue about 15 miles up the creek.
"We get to see the fish jump through some small waterfalls and then there’s all this frenetic digging their nests and the males chasing each other around," he added.
Last week, 50 adult coho salmon were observed by Marin Municipal Water District. The season is off to a late start. Two years ago, over 300 coho were counted during the third week of December.
Naturalist-led creek walks are not allowed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but you can venture on your own. Get directions here.
