Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Hotel Zed Contest
    • It’s A Shore Thing Summer Getaway
    • Camel’s Hump Guest Ranch Getaway
    • Raft. Relax. Recharge
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Hotel Zed Contest
    • It’s A Shore Thing Summer Getaway
    • Camel’s Hump Guest Ranch Getaway
    • Raft. Relax. Recharge
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / Where to see spawning salmon on Vancouver Island this year

The spawning season lasts from late October to early December. Black Press Media file photo

Where to see spawning salmon on Vancouver Island this year

November 2, 2021 //  by Tegwyn Hughes

Share this:

It’s officially spawning season for BC Pacific salmon, and Vancouver Island is rife with opportunities to watch different species of the fish return to the streams where they were born.

After travelling thousands of kilometres, female salmon dig nests along the stream bottom to lay around 3,000 eggs, which are then fertilized by a male. Within 10 days after spawning, both the male and female salmon will die nearby.

One of the most well-known spots to watch spawning salmon is Goldstream River in Goldstream Provincial Park, 25 minutes northwest of downtown Victoria. An estimated 30,000 salmon make their way through Goldstream Provincial Park annually.

Every year from mid-October to early December, salmon aficionados clog the Malahat and gape at the chum, coho and chinook salmon cavorting in breeding streams.

The Qualicum River Hatchery Trails welcomes different species of salmon in its streams. A 10-kilometre-long trail stretches along the side of the river located about 12 kilometres past Qualicum Beach.

Coho and chinook salmon can be found at Stamp River Provincial Park near Port Alberni, where fish leap dramatically upstream. The Stamp Falls Fishway is also a popular spot for hungry black bears and eagles, so bring a pair of binoculars to watch some apex predators in action.

Finally, Campbell River has many streams and rivers where you can watch salmon spawn, and the Quinsam River area is one of the most popular.

While watching the salmon run can be quite exciting, there are some key rules to follow. Visitors should stay out of the river and remain quiet. Dogs must also be kept on-leash and out of the water.

Other top tips for watching a salmon run include wearing dull colours, as bright reds, purple and pinks can distract fish. Wearing sunglasses with polarizing lenses are also useful to reduce glare from the water.

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: British Columbia Destinations, Canada, Family activities, Nature, Salmon, Things to do, Things to Do in Vancouver Island, Wildlife

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Travel on the Fly: A slushy good time spring skiing; Mountain-top beer festivities+ more!

From a Kootenay Beer Festival to a slushy end to a long, snowy spring ski…

Travel on the Fly: A slushy good time spring skiing; Mountain-top beer festivities+ more!Read More

Golden’s boy Boo boogies out of bed

The first day of spring isn’t officially until March 20, but for residents of Golden,…

Golden’s boy Boo boogies out of bedRead More

Take an Alberta roadtrip in the footsteps of ‘The Last of Us’

The HBO TV series The Last of Us has not only made many Albertans proud…

Take an Alberta roadtrip in the footsteps of ‘The Last of Us’Read More

BC Ferries launches app for quicker booking, check-in and trip management

Those wanting to explore British Columbia’s coasts can now plan and track their travels from…

BC Ferries launches app for quicker booking, check-in and trip managementRead More

From history-rich walks to hand-crafted beers, it’s time to explore the Cariboo like a local

One of the best parts of travelling is discovering those special places that aren’t in…

From history-rich walks to hand-crafted beers, it’s time to explore the Cariboo like a localRead More

Ride the rails on the Amtrak Cascades for a rumbling adventure

All aboard! Daily direct train service between Oregon and Canada has been fully restored on…

Ride the rails on the Amtrak Cascades for a rumbling adventureRead More

Preservation vs. Playground: What Banff has learned from a century of tourism

In February 2022 I travelled to Powell River, a small B.C. town transitioning from resource…

Preservation vs. Playground: What Banff has learned from a century of tourismRead More

Going deep: exploring the waters off Vancouver Island with winter diving

Vancouver Island has a wonderful reputation for so many things – not the least of…

Going deep: exploring the waters off Vancouver Island with winter divingRead More

Harbour Air offering new Comox-Powell River route; Vancouver route restarts

Vancouver Island residents heading to Powell River can now get there in a fraction of…

Harbour Air offering new Comox-Powell River route; Vancouver route restartsRead More

Previous Post: « Parksville Beach Festival expected to return in 2022
Next Post: VIDEO: Alberni Valley’s Stamp Falls water running high and fast after autumn storms »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

Travel on the Fly: A slushy good time spring skiing; Mountain-top beer festivities+ more!

March 14, 2023

Golden’s boy Boo boogies out of bed

March 14, 2023

Take an Alberta roadtrip in the footsteps of ‘The Last of Us’

March 14, 2023

BC Ferries launches app for quicker booking, check-in and trip management

March 13, 2023

Recent Posts

Travel on the Fly: A slushy good time spring skiing; Mountain-top beer festivities+ more!

March 14, 2023

Golden’s boy Boo boogies out of bed

March 14, 2023

Take an Alberta roadtrip in the footsteps of ‘The Last of Us’

March 14, 2023

BC Ferries launches app for quicker booking, check-in and trip management

March 13, 2023

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon

Copyright © 2023 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved