Is it legal to snorkel with Salmon?

[Celeus]

With the Sockeye running, some of us were thinking it would be an interesting idea to snorkel and perhaps get some photo opportunities.

But, we wondered if there were any restrictions on this that we should be aware of.

Anyone know?

Thanks!

[coachrenz]

Just don't poke them with anything and you should be fine. (Spearfishing for salmon is illegal)

Granted that access to the location would have to either be public or by permission of the landowner. Also be wary of the fisherman, they might not appreciate you in their way.

Why stop at snorkeling, throw on the scuba gear and get some real good pictures.

[Alex]

I will laugh if I see someone diving Issaquah creek!

[Dmitchell]

My experience with salmon is that they do not like bubbles even in a noisy river. They are also very shy of seals and sea lions so a diver snorkeler spooks them. I have a friend who has great success snorkeling with them in very shallow water where he can just lay there and not move.

Here's a link to his pic's http://mondragonphotography.com/stock/g ... s.php?ID=2

Dave

[Celeus]

We were thinking some shallow water- hopefully relatively low current.

[CaptnJack]

Its not actually illegal. There's a popular salmon snorkeling spot up in Comox BC. Use caution on private or unknown lands in WA. Abide by landowner restrictions and requests. Generally speaking salmon are disturbed by human activity, even shadows. They are having a tough enough time as it is so watching from a distance, not trampling riparian vegetation, and not spooking them off their reeds is preferred.

[Celeus]

One spot under consideration was the Sammamish Slough on the Burke-Gillman trail behind McLendon Hardware in Woodinville.

My initial assumption is that this is public land along at least one bank of the river. If anyone has pointers to other info on best-practices for doing this the "right" way, I'd be interested- none of us wants to be anything other than responsible.

[Metal man]

I'd be too tempted to grab some dinner

[defied]

I'd be too tempted to grab some dinner

As I clicked on this thread I already had my smoker started up, and charring cedar plank...

Guess I'll pull some out of the freezer for now... 0[

[Nwbrewer]

One spot under consideration was the Sammamish Slough on the Burke-Gillman trail behind McLendon Hardware in Woodinville.

My initial assumption is that this is public land along at least one bank of the river. If anyone has pointers to other info on best-practices for doing this the "right" way, I'd be interested- none of us wants to be anything other than responsible.

You know, I'll swim in Lake Washington, I'll swim in Lake Sammamish, but the thought of swimming in the slough sounds nasty to me. I know where you're talking about, and I doubt anybody would say anything to you, but on the other side of the RR tracks (more into town) is a city park. Should be fine from there. I doubt the vis is going to be very nice. I think I'd try the cedar down by Renton. At least the vis will be better... Several parks have access.

[BigFameOne]

I think it may be illegal to snorkel with Salmon if you mean using a salmon AS a snorkel.

That said I thought you might find some of the recent entries on Raul's blog interesting. http://dive-junkie.blogspot.com/

[YellowEye]

Hi All
I snorkeled with salmon in the Cedar River a couple years ago. It was great, got to see them up close, readying their nests, and courting the females. We snorkeled in about a foot of water, just held on to the rocks on the bottom, no fins required. I think the females liked my orange drysuit My friend got some photos, but the water would probably have been clearer if it didn't rain for a few days.

Not sure if it is illegal, but nobody said anything, and I was at a park. Let me know if you want to go!

[spatman]

i just noticed an ad for this in the latest issue of NW DIve News:

http://www.snorkelwithsalmon.com/

[CaptnJack]

Getting sick from stormwater pollution (particularly fecal coliforms) is a definite concern. I'd be looking for places outside the urban area, like maybe the Stilly

[chani]

I asked the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Fish Program about snorkeling with salmon. The following is their response, including a few good pointers for pictures.

Subject: F5902 snorkeling with salmon ok?

Thank you for your e-mail correspondence to the Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife (WDFW) Fish Program.

This is really not that odd of a question. There are a great many thing
to see & do in our state, with regards to wildlife viewing, besides fishing &
hunting.

After receiving your correspondence, I spoke with a few of our field biologist

who do stream surveys - usually with mask & snorkel. All of them said pretty
much the same thing that while snorkeling, the salmon will swim right along
with you. They are also fairly aggressive during spawning season, so they
might even try to take a bite out of you or your camera. This should afford
you some wonderful opportunities for a few great shots. But, keep in mind that

once you stand up, the fish will scatter as this will make you look more like
a predator to them.

Have fun and I hope you get some fabulous photos.

[4ster]

Getting sick from stormwater pollution (particularly fecal coliforms) is a definite concern. I'd be looking for places outside the urban area, like maybe the Stilly

Well, I know the landowner of a site on Jim Creek, a tributary of the Stilly. Today I spoke with a fish biologist that said she saw a lot of fish at the site in snorkel gear yesterday. This is a site they use to monitor salmon runs in Jim Creek. The site has easy access and ranges in depth right now from about 2 feet to over ten. The site is about 10 minutes out of Arlington.

The vis is OK right now, but it would be better if we got another streak of dry weather.

I'll go salmon snorkeling with anyone who wants to... PM me if interested.

Steve

[scottsax]

Dude-is that a Fraggle in your avatar?

[4ster]

What's a fraggle? That is what I really look like.

[Jan K]

Hi Steve, did you get my e-mail ?

[scottsax]

What's a fraggle? That is what I really look like.

Er...never mind...I'm so sorry...I didn't know.... :hello2:

[4ster]

[......... she saw a lot of fish at the site in snorkel gear yesterday.
Steve

I've never seen a salmon wearing snorkel gear

That was poorly worded.... but pretty funny.

[4ster]

Hi Steve, did you get my e-mail ?

For some reason I didn't get it until just now. email sent.

[Jan K]

It is a great experience. Take a peek at some snapshots at Whidbey critters thread