NATURAL WONDERS The name Coquitlam comes from the Coast Salish word “kʷikʷəƛ̓ əm,” which means “red fish up the river,” acknowledging the importance of salmon to our culture
THE SALMON RUN is one of Mother Nature’s greatest spectacles. Whether you’re a young child, a visitor seeing spawning salmon for the first time or a seasoned wildlife spotter, this scene never fails to impress. Each fall, thousands of fish return to Coquitlam waterways to spawn. After spending much of their adult lives at sea, they begin their epic journey to return to the creek where they were born. Some will swim thousands of kilometres, battling many obstacles in order to return home for the last time. If you want a close-up view of spawning salmon, duck into the trail around Hoy Creek Hatchery (closest street is Princess Cres.). You’ll find footbridges and areas where the path cuts close to Hoy Creek, offering prime lookout spots. Other good locations to view this natural phenomenon include the trails along the Coquitlam River and along Scott Creek off Guildford Way. Watch for chum from early October to early November and coho from late October to late December. Watch for spawning salmon during fall
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