Oregonians in the southern part of the state have a unique wildlife viewing opportunity to watch fall Chinook salmon spawn in local rivers. Peak spawning is now through mid-December depending on the river. Practice good wildlife viewing etiquette by watching from a short distance without disturbing the fish or walking on redds (nests). Binoculars can be handy. Note that viewing conditions can be limited after rainstorms, but water usually clears within a few days. These locations in Coos County all offer excellent viewing: Fall Chinook spawn late October through mid-December with peak spawning in mid-November. Best viewing areas include: West Fork Millicoma River beginning with the Millicoma Interpretive Center near Allegany. The center is wheelchair accessible and kid-friendly. For the next few miles upstream, many spawning areas are visible from a vehicle. The mouth of Glenn Creek about six miles upriver from Allegany. Tioga Creek which can be accessed from Middle Creek Road above Fairview. LaVerne Park on the North Fork Coquille River. Salmon are seen in the swimming hole area and jumping at the falls. They also can be seen spawning above the boulder weirs just upriver from the upper park boundary. Frona Park on the East Fork Coquille River near Dora. Baker Creek gravel bar/access site on the South Fork Coquille River. Daniels Creek Road, along the last few miles of paved road before it turns to gravel. Coho salmon spawning peaks in December in the Coos River system. In the Coquille River system, coho spawning peaks in late December to early January. Coho can be seen spawning at the following locations: Millicoma Interpretive Center. Marlow Creek. One mile past Allegany, turn left onto County Road which eventually turns into State Forest Road 1000. Salmon can be seen from a vehicle. LaVerne Park. East Fork Coquille River above the mouth of China Creek, about three miles upriver of Dora. Steel Creek, a tributary of East Fork Coquille River at Dora. Middle Creek above the fish ladder, about two miles upstream from the BLM’s Middle Creek Recreation Site. Spawning salmon can be seen from a vehicle. Moon Creek about three miles upriver of LaVerne Park. Salmon can be seen spawning on gravel trapped by logs placed during fish habitat improvement projects as part of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds, Oct. 30
Oregonians in the southern part of the state have a unique wildlife viewing opportunity to watch fall Chinook salmon spawn in local rivers. Peak spawning is now through mid-December depending on the river. Practice good wildlife viewing etiquette by watching from a short distance without disturbing the fish or walking on redds (nests). Binoculars can be handy. Note that viewing conditions can be limited after rainstorms, but water usually clears within a few days. These locations in Coos County all offer excellent viewing: Fall Chinook spawn late October through mid-December with peak spawning in mid-November. Best viewing areas include: West Fork Millicoma River beginning with the Millicoma Interpretive Center near Allegany. The center is wheelchair accessible and kid-friendly. For the next few miles upstream, many spawning areas are visible from a vehicle. The mouth of Glenn Creek about six miles upriver from Allegany. Tioga Creek which can be accessed from Middle Creek Road above Fairview. LaVerne Park on the North Fork Coquille River. Salmon are seen in the swimming hole area and jumping at the falls. They also can be seen spawning above the boulder weirs just upriver from the upper park boundary. Frona Park on the East Fork Coquille River near Dora. Baker Creek gravel bar/access site on the South Fork Coquille River. Daniels Creek Road, along the last few miles of paved road before it turns to gravel. Coho salmon spawning peaks in December in the Coos River system. In the Coquille River system, coho spawning peaks in late December to early January. Coho can be seen spawning at the following locations: Millicoma Interpretive Center. Marlow Creek. One mile past Allegany, turn left onto County Road which eventually turns into State Forest Road 1000. Salmon can be seen from a vehicle. LaVerne Park. East Fork Coquille River above the mouth of China Creek, about three miles upriver of Dora. Steel Creek, a tributary of East Fork Coquille River at Dora. Middle Creek above the fish ladder, about two miles upstream from the BLM’s Middle Creek Recreation Site. Spawning salmon can be seen from a vehicle. Moon Creek about three miles upriver of LaVerne Park. Salmon can be seen spawning on gravel trapped by logs placed during fish habitat improvement projects as part of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds.
