Ballard Locks Salmon Run 2023

[Prost Seattle]

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/a-big-salmon-run-at-seattles-ballard-locks-is-wowing-visitors/

 

Salmon are swaggering through Ballard and it’s a show not to be missed. 

The windows at the fish ladder at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks are shimmering with fish. Not just any fish, but the toast of Seattle, big silvery Chinook thick as a thigh.

The run right now is hitting better than 400 Chinook a day. But don’t put off your visit, August is peak viewing season as these fish make their epic journey from the sea to their spawning grounds. Mouths agape, their snaggle teeth showing, they are still silver-bright from the sea. Big too, with many that look to be 30 pounds or more.

 

Seattle Times article talking about the salmon runs.  It’s free, it’s cool (most kids really enjoy seeing this, and you sportspeople will salivate over the thought of the fishing opportunities (don’t do it!). Here’s a map of how to get to the locks, and if you are able to score a bike rental or scooter rental, it’s easy to get to.  

https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/bike-program/how-to-use-scooter-share-and-bike-share

 

Edited August 18, 2023 by Prost Seattle
Additional fair use content.

[Meander Ingwa]

The Ballard Locks are a super place to visit  It is a convenient place for a picnic with small take away nearby ( pizza!) .  In summer, on weekends there may be music.  The parade of boats thru the locks are fun to watch and you might spot an opportunistic Sea Lion or Harbor Seal visiting the Buffet of Salmon.  Busses also run to the locks, though not directly / convenient from the piers.  An Uber / Lyft is likely to be the most efficient way, unless you are familiar and willing to use the varied mapping and routing apps ( like Rome2Rio) for wayfinding.