Kokanee swim free in Ebright Creek
Kokanee salmon fry are swimming in Ebright Creek today.
Fifth grade students from Campbell Hill Elementary School in Renton released kokanee salmon into the clear waters of Ebright Creek on the east shore of Lake Sammamish, as part of the fifth annual Kokanee Fry Release celebration.
Kokanee are native to the Lake Sammamish watershed and are a land-locked form of sockeye. Once on the verge of extinction, restoration efforts by the Kokanee Work Group are improving kokanee habitat throughout the Issaquah basin.
“Congratulations on bringing this little fish back,” said Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell in remarks at today’s event. Jewell expressed admiration for the many partners working to create healthy salmon habitat, as well as engaging young people to learn, play and work in forests, rivers and mountains.
Jewell joined a host of local officials from the Snoqualmie Tribe, federal and state departments of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Parks, King County, cities of Sammamish, Issaquah, and Bellevue, and many other supporters to celebrate the little red fish.
