Right on cue, the Kokanee have entered the spawning channel at Kokanee Creek Provincial Park for the annual salmon run.
The first made their appearance on August 10, and they have been quickly building up to over 1,700 fish and growing.
“This is prime time to come on out and see the fish.” said Jenna Lazier, Kokanee Park Nature Centre.
“They’re large, they’re lovely, so, if you come out, you’ll be able to see a lot of beautiful, large, healthy, Kokanee in the creek, and it’s a great time to grab a coffee from our little redfish cafe and take a look around the nature center and enjoy the return of the salmon.”
As the numbers grow into the thousands and visitors flock to see them, so to does our wildlife.
Bears have been spotted taking advantage of the season, building up their food supply for the winter.
We are being reminded to give the bears their space during this important time.
“We do have some channel guardians who are out on the channel not only to educate people about the salmon but they’re certainly there to kind of keep their eye on the bear situation.” said Lazier.
“If you’re out there and you’re lucky enough to have one of those channel guardians please just listen to their advice, if there is a bear they’ll be controlling the people rather than the bears, and make sure to just give it lots of space because this is such an essential time for the bears to be getting fed and fattened up in time for winter.”
“We ask no flash photography and dogs are not allowed anywhere near the spawning channel.”
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