Salmon Come Home

Most years, the City along with the Hoy-Scott Watershed Society celebrate the return of salmon to local creeks in the fall to watch the salmon battle their way back to their spawning grounds. Coquitlam has several salmon-viewing spots, with one of the best being Hoy Creek Linear Park. 

Annual Salmon Come Home Event

Date: Sunday, October 27
Time: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Hoy Creek Hatchery, Hoy/Scott Watershed Society

Presented by Qualex-Landmark

Supported by FortisBC and Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program

Join us at the Hoy Creek Hatchery for Coquitlam’s beloved Salmon Come Home event, a family-friendly celebration of the annual salmon return!

Enjoy an exciting day outdoors with interactive exhibits, hands-on learning experiences, and the chance to see salmon up close. Activities include wood crafts, live entertainment, Indigenous storytelling, and the inflatable Nylon Zoo adventure for kids. Don’t miss this fun, educational event for all ages—there’s something for everyone!

Salmon Viewing Map and Nature Scavenger Hunt

Keep your eyes open all fall and visit other local creeks as well using our map of salmon-viewing locations. You can also enjoy a family-friendly scavenger hunt – seeking items such as a spider web or pinecone – as you are out-and-about in nature. Enjoy!

Please remember that during this time of the year, bears are foraging and filling up before they den for the winter and spawning salmon is one of their primary food sources. Respect nature and stay on the trails, be alert, listen and watch for bears.

Be Safe Outdoors and Be Bear Smart

While enjoying the outdoors be aware, listen and watch for bears:

  • Look for posted signs about animal activity. If you spot a bear, make a wide detour and leave the area the way that you came.
  • Look for bear signs like tracks, droppings, overturned rocks, rotten trees torn apart, clawed or bitten trees, bear trails, fresh diggings or trampled vegetation. These signs may indicate the bear is still in the area.
  • Make noises by talking to each other, singing or clapping your hands near streams to let a bear know of your presence.
  • Keep dogs on a leash so they cannot chase or antagonize a bear causing it to be aggressive.

If you see a bear:

  • Stop and remain calm. Often, if the bear has found a food source, do not disturb.
  • Give bears their space - stay at least 100 metres away.
  • Don’t scream, yell or run.
  • Talk in a low and calm voice while backing away slowly.
  • Keep away from the bear and warn others to do the same.

While exploring the community, please remember to support our Coquitlam businesses by shopping, enjoying a meal out or picking up takeout. Don't forget to always pack out what you pack in, do not leave garbage. It's unsightly and it serves as an attractant to wild animals, especially bears.