Where to spot salmon: Northern B.C.
Here are five of our favourite public spots to view spawning salmon in Northern B.C., from Terrace to Prince George and Valemount. We’ve included family-friendly locations with clearly marked trails and viewing areas. If you have a favourite spot to share, email us!
Cottonwood Island Nature Park, Prince George
Species: Chinook, sockeye
Best times: Adult sockeye, August and September, Chinook in August
The Cottonwood Island Nature Park in Prince George borders the Nechako River and spawning Chinook and sockeye salmon can be viewed from the bank. This 32-hectare park is part of the Heritage River Trail System and connects several other parks along the Nechako and Fraser rivers. The trails wind along the Nechako River’s shoreline and lead into a forest containing many century-old trees.
Directions: River Rd, Prince George, BC V2L 5S8. From Prince George, turn right onto 1st Ave/Yellowhead Hwy E/BC-16 E (signs for Trans Canada Highway/Airport/McBride/Jasper/Yellowhead Highway E). Then, turn left onto River Rd. Parking is available near the Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum.
Fulton River Spawning Channels, Granisle
Species: sockeye, coho
Best times: mid-September to mid-October
The Fulton River Spawning Channels are the largest spawning channels in the world. Each year from mid-September to mid-October, you can see millions of sockeye (and sometimes coho) salmon spawning both in the channels and in the natural river. The fence is easily accessible for all abilities, and you can watch the salmon being counted and let into the river and channels. An absolute must of any salmon enthusiast!
Directions: RR8M+J7 Granisle, British Columbia/ 51496 British Columbia 118, Granisle, BC. The spawning channels can be accessed from Hwy 118 Rd S/Central Babine Lake Hwy.
Williams Creek, Terrace
Species: Sockeye
Best times: Adult sockeye, July and August
Part of the Lakelse Lake watershed, Williams Creek can be viewed along a trail that leads down to a popular, dog-friendly beach. The creek and the trail are easily accessible, and a viewing platform allows visitors to watch sockeye salmon as they come up to spawn in William’s Creek.
Directions: Lakelse Lake Provincial Park, 4384 BC-37, Terrace, BC V8G 0G5. The parking lot can be accessed from Dease Lake Highway. Walk to Gruchy’s Beach and continue left to access Williams Creek.
Stellako River, Endako
Species: sockeye
Best times: Adult sockeye, early fall
Visitors can access the shores of the Stellako River to witness thousands of sockeye salmon returning to their spawning grounds. These salmon, a crucial part of the Fraser River’s summer-timed populations, can also be seen in the local tributaries of the Nithi River and Ormond Creek. The Stellako River is only 11.3 kilometres long and stretches between Francois Lake and Fraser Lake, south of Endako.
Directions: The Stellako River is accessed from Highway 16, four kilometres west of Fraser Lake. Turn southwest onto Francois Lake Road, travel 11 km on pavement, and you’ll meet the Stellako at the Glenannan Bridge where it exits Francois Lake. The river is short, only 11 km in length, and empties into Fraser Lake east of Highway 16.
George Hicks Regional Park, Valemount
Species: Chinook
Best times: Adult Chinook, late July to mid-August
The park offers a trail, bridge, and lookout platform that provide excellent salmon spotting opportunities in late July to mid-August. The Chinook salmon swim upstream from the Pacific Ocean, up the Fraser River and then arrive in Swift Creek to spawn after a 1,300-kilometre-long journey.
Directions: George Hicks Regional Park, British Columbia 5, Valemount, BC, Canada. The entry to the park is located by the Valemount Visitor Centre. A scenic trail takes you down to the creek by foot from the Visitor Information Centre. Alternatively, you can drive down to the lower parking lot using Cranberry Lake Rd.
