Ballard, a neighborhood in North Seattle, Washington, offers a unique experience for kayakers: the migration of Chinook salmon. As these impressive fish return to their birthplaces to spawn, kayakers have a front-row seat, especially near the Ballard Locks salmon ladder. In this article, we’ll share about the Chinook's journey and how best to witness it responsibly from your kayak boat. Plus, don't miss our video of the Chinook's dynamic leaps in action!

Background on Chinook salmon

The Chinook salmon, sometimes called the King Salmon due to its impressive size, undergoes an extraordinary life cycle. Born in freshwater, these salmon venture to the salty Pacific, only to return years later to their natal streams to spawn and then die.

Their journey is not just biologically significant; it's also deeply intertwined with the culture and livelihood of local Native American tribes who have revered and relied on the salmon for generations.

In today's rapidly changing world, the Chinook salmon faces daunting challenges. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), urbanization, pollution, and habitat degradation threaten their existence. Yet, this incredible fish species persevere, embodying resilience and adaptability in the beautiful region of the Pacific Northwest.

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The great Chinook salmon migration

The migratory trek of the Chinook is a testament to nature's wonders. After spending their early life in freshwater, they adapt to life in the open ocean. A few years later, an intrinsic call brings them back to the exact freshwater location of their birth.

Throughout this journey, they battle predators like orcas and eagles, navigate changing temperatures, and surmount man-made obstructions. On our recent paddling trip to Ballard Locks, we witnessed this first-hand from our kayak boat – salmon were literally jumping from the water to escape hunting seals and sea lions.

Ballard Locks: A human-made marvel meets nature

Sitting along the migration route is the Ballard Locks – a testament to engineering that aids both ships and salmon. Originally built to facilitate maritime traffic, it soon became apparent that the locks were an impediment to salmon migration. Enter the salmon ladder: a series of steps and pools that offer the fish a gradual, manageable ascent, mimicking natural rapids.

In this video below, captured by our Flatwater Kayak Club team on a recent kayaking trip to Ballard Locks, you can see the yellow salmon ladder as well as jumping, migrating Chinook salmon!

What salmon species can you see at Ballard Locks?

Fun fact: It’s not only Chinook “King salmon” migrating through the Locks! Depending on the time of year, you have different salmon viewing opportunities. According to the Ballard Locks Salmon Research Center, three species of Pacific Salmon pass through the Locks during the summer months and travel an incredible 40-50 miles upriver to spawn!

You can see Sockeye “Red Salmon” in early Summer (mid-June to mid-July), peak viewing of the Chinook “King Salmon” in August (we saw them in early September), and Coho “Silver Salmon” throughout September.

Kayaking and salmon observation

For flatwater kayakers, the Ballard Locks offer a front-row seat to this natural drama. If timed right, usually between June and September, kayakers can witness schools of Chinook making their determined push upstream. We personally witnessed them in early September, 2023, and as a La Nina year, this was an especially excellent year for migrating salmon.

However, with this front row seat to wildlife’s incredible migration comes great responsibility:

• Safety and respect: While the sight is mesmerizing, it's crucial to maintain a respectful distance. Interfering, even inadvertently, can stress the fish. Always adhere to the rules set by local authorities and conservation bodies. As someone who’s kayaked with migrating salmon, sometimes they’re just going to jump from the water’s surface and that may or may not be near your boat – you really can’t do anything about that. But we don’t recommend paddling right up to the salmon ladder. These migrating fish are up against enough obstacles – hunting predators in a salmon gauntlet alleyway! – so let’s give them a fighting chance to make it to their birth waters.

• Optimize your experience: Consider binoculars for a closer look and try to minimize noise to keep the environment calm. Understanding salmon behavior, such as how they seek rest in calmer pockets of water, can also enhance the observation experience.

Impact of observing salmon migration

Witnessing the Chinook's journey is not just a visual treat; it's an emotional and educational experience. We believe it fosters a deeper appreciation for our environment and the intricate relationships within. As kayakers, being in the midst of this migration can instill a stronger sense of duty towards water conservation and the protection of its inhabitants.

Pro tip: Not up for a kayak adventure to see the salmon – or visiting Seattle, Washington with folks who don’t kayak? You can still observe the salmon ladder from above. Park at the historic Hiram M. Chittenden (Ballard) Locks location in Ballard, Washington, and you can walk into the Locks, see the boats in the Locks “water elevator,” and the migrating salmon from on land. There’s also a salmon education center, and you can go down below and see the salmon from the water, like in this video below.

Supporting salmon conservation efforts

The Chinook's journey is awe-inspiring, but there are serious challenges that are detrimental to the species. As lovers of the waterways, flatwater kayakers can play a pivotal role in conservation support. Many nonprofit organizations (such as the Wild Salmon Center) tirelessly work to protect the Chinook salmon, and support can range from donations and volunteering to simply educating others about their significance.

Additionally, kayakers can:

• Promote and participate: Join or organize a river clean-up. A cleaner waterway is beneficial not just for the salmon but all aquatic life!

• Advocate: Support sustainable fishing practices and conservation policies. Lend your voice to the many that champion the cause of the Chinook salmon.

There's a profound beauty in paddling your kayak through calm waters, watching the determined Chinook salmon journey home. For flatwater kayakers in the Pacific Northwest, it's also a call to action to be more than spectators. Join us as we do our best to be responsible guardians of the water, to promote understanding, and to drive conservation for the majestic Chinook salmon and other breathtaking Pacifinc Northwest wildlife.