In a remarkable display of environmental stewardship, King County and a coalition of partners are celebrating a significant milestone in the recovery of Lake Sammamish kokanee salmon. A recent report from King County indicated that over 8,300 adult kokanee have returned to their spawning grounds during the latest season. This number marks a dramatic increase from the 19 counted in the 2017-18 run, which had raised alarms about the species' survival. According to King County's news release, these figures represent the second-highest return since monitoring began in 1996.
The resurgence is attributed to concerted efforts by the Lake Sammamish Kokanee Work Group—an assembly of government entities, indigenous tribes, non-profits, and community groups. Experts believe the survival of the species is looking up, with the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe having played a critical role in the release of approximately 12,000 young kokanee fry into Lake Sammamish in both 2023 and 2024. These fish are expected to return to spawn in the coming years, possibly strengthening the population further. "For Snoqualmie people, we're born into this, and we understand our connection to these places, to the fish, but I think that something so unique about our Lake Sammamish and our little red fish is how it brings everyone together," Deputy Secretary McKenna Sweet Dorman of the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe told King County.
Actions taken since May 2018, following directives issued by former King County Executive Dow Constantine, appear to be bearing fruit. Notably, improving access to spawning grounds by installing box culverts has been critical, alongside strategies to raise young kokanee in controlled conditions before their fall release. This has allowed them to grow larger before they face the challenges of the natural environment.
Additional proposals to expand recovery efforts are being evaluated, such as the use of remote stream incubators which could enhance early survival rates of the kokanee. Councilmember Claudia Balducci voiced her excitement at the results: "I am thrilled that we are seeing such a strong return of one of our most culturally and environmentally significant species, our very own ‘little red fish’," she said in a statement obtained by King County. "This is the result of years of dedicated, careful collaboration with our tribal, local, and community partners. It is a triumph that reminds us that, while human activity helped contribute to the decline of this species, we also have the power to act differently and help our ecosystem recover and heal."
Engagement from various partners and stakeholders, including Trout Unlimited, underscores the community involvement and commitment to the cause. "This milestone reflects the dedication of a passionate community that has committed nearly two decades to bringing these iconic ‘little red fish’ back from the brink," said David Kyle, Lake Washington Basin Program Manager at Trout Unlimited, according to the King County news release.
