Coquitlam

Gravel Donation and Trailer Use Greatly Appreciated

Hoy Creek Hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard, and assistant manager, Anne Woosnam shovel gravel off the trailer donated on Feb. 17 (HSWS photo)

Thank You for the Generous Donations and Support

We would like to express our gratitude to Heidelberg Materials North America for their recent donation of gravel, and to High Definition Concrete Ltd. for the use of their trailer.

Community support plays a crucial role in the success of our organization, and these generous contributions are greatly appreciated. Without the support of local businesses and community members, completing essential work projects can be a significant challenge for us.

The donations made on February 17 will aid us in our ongoing efforts to clean and repair failing infrastructure at the Hoy Creek Hatchery. Contributions such as these, enable us to continue our important work in salmon conservation and habitat preservation.

We also extend our sincere thanks to the dedicated volunteers who contributed their time and effort to the cause. Their hard work and commitment have been invaluable in advancing our projects and maintaining the momentum of our initiatives.

Once again, a sincere thank you to Heidelberg Materials North America and High Definition Concrete Ltd., and all of our dedicated volunteers for their invaluable support and contributions. Together, we are making a significant and positive impact on our environment, and we are grateful for the opportunity to build a more sustainable future for the Hoy and Scott Watersheds.

Matt, Suzz and Annie help with gravel offloading to fill an area behind the Hoy Creek Hatchery in Coquitlam. (HSWS photo)

Spawner Survey Report for 2023

Our spawner survey crew recently got some hands on experience with bio sampling salmon carcasses. (HSWS photo)

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society director, Rodney Lee led our spawner survey for 2023.

Seven of our volunteers assisted in 13 surveys and put in a total of 40.5 hours.

Spawner surveys are a basic form of stock assessment where the data can be used to gauge the health of salmon returns. In short, we walk the creek and count live and dead salmon (by species) to get a sense of the number of returning fish. Data is submitted to the Streamkeeper’s database as well as to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

Participants walk in chest waders in and around the stream including stepping over fallen trees, walking on in-stream rocks and muddy banks, and crouching under overhanging tree branches to identify salmon species targeting chum and coho but occasionally other species (chinook, pink) may have been seen.

The weekly survey area was the stretch of Hoy Creek from the Johnson St. pool (between Glen and Guildford) to Hoy Creek Hatchery in Coquitlam and statistics were taken from October through to January.

Here are the survey details which provide totals of carcasses for chum and coho, as well as peak live counts. We have compared them to our 2021 and 2022 results in the chart below.

Volunteers measure the salmon and record findings. (HSWS photo)

2023 Spawner Survey Data and Comparison to 2022 and 2021

*Please note that this exercise is not a population estimate and annual results can be affected by several factors including weather patterns.

NOTE: Should you see salmon in the creek that have been cut in half, or have the tail or head cut off, from October through December that could mean those salmon have been marked for the annual Salmon Spawner Survey. We count live and dead fish weekly in a designated stretch of the stream. The dead salmon are cut as to not double count the dead fish the next week. This helps get an absolute count of salmon that have spawned in a particular area of a stream.

Society Grateful for Spirit of Coquitlam Grant

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society is a proud and grateful recipient of the 2023 Spirit of Coquitlam Grant.

"The Spirit of Coquitlam grant supports not-for-profit, community-based organizations that are based in and serving Coquitlam residents. The grant intends to build community spirit by providing funds for public art, sport activities and programs, festivals and events, sport hosting, capital projects, and new initiatives that align with the City’s strategic goals."

The Spirit of Coquitlam grant will be used for equipment for chum and coho salmon monitoring at the Hoy Creek Hatchery and for public outreach.

We would like to formally thank the City of Coquitlam for supporting the safety of our hatchery and staff and for helping to ensure the preservation of our habitats.

Society Participates in Gleneagle Secondary Volunteer Fair

Maya Uno speaks to a student of Gleneagle Secondary School.

Thank you to Gleneagle Secondary in Coquitlam for hosting the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society at their Volunteer Fair held on November 24. Special mention to Aiden Lee who extended the invite and is a student of the school and has been a volunteer at the hatchery for many years.

The Society was represented by Maya Uno and Anne Woosnam.

The students had lots of great questions, and the Society relies on student volunteers to help meet its mandate.

Students who are interested in becoming volunteers can review information on our Support page and complete a registration form.

Talitha Koum Spends Morning Supporting Local Streams

Along Hoy Creek on a beautiful fall day.

Thanks to the ladies from the Talitha Koum Society who put in two hours of community service on November 16, helping us clean the trails and banks of Hoy and Scott Creeks in Coquitlam. They were blessed to see salmon along the way and had glorious sunshine.

The activity was led by Robbin Whachell from the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society.

Finds included a barbecue, a fire extinguisher, a tap shoe, brake pads, and a package of false eyelashes. There was the usual clothing, bottles, cans, and fast food trash.

Clearing trash along Hoy Trail just north of Barnet Highways.

Along Scott Creek on Runnel Drive.

Society Participates in CRWS Event

Matt and Tyler representing Hoy/Scott Watershed Society (CRWR Photo)

Thanks to Matthew Watts and Tyler Storgaard for repping us at the Coquitlam River Watershed Roundtable hosted, "Vital Signs: Checking our Watershed’s Health," at Douglas College in Coquitlam on Nov. 2.

The event had presentations from Community Partners, including City of Coquitlam, Kwikwetlem
First Nation and Living Resources Environmental Consultants. HSWS hosted an information booth and attended the presentations.

While our Society did not present we were able to talk about our work and field questions one on one during the event.

We’d like to thank the Coquitlam River Watershed Society for the invite and engaging atmosphere.

Participants of the Watershed Health symposium in Coquitlam

Society Conducting Annual Spawner Salmon Survey

An example of what you could see in the section where the salmon survey is taking place. Dead fish are cut so as to not count them the next time we pass the same area. (HSWS photo)

Should you see salmon in Hoy Creek or Scott Creek that have been cut in half, or have the tail or head cut off, that means those salmon have been marked for our annual Salmon Spawner Survey.

We count live and dead fish weekly in a designated stretch of the stream. The dead salmon are cut so as to not double-count the dead fish the next week. This helps get an absolute count of salmon that have spawned in a particular area of a stream.

Spawner surveys are a basic form of stock assessment where the data can be used to gauge the health of salmon returns. In short, we walk the creek and count live and dead salmon (by species) to get a sense of the number of returning fish. Data is submitted to the Streamkeeper’s database as well as to Fisheries & Oceans Canada.

Each week, results are recorded.

Questions? Email us at hoyscottcreeks@gmail.com

Chum Arrive for Salmon Come Home

Left to right: Kyle Uno, President, HSWS; Councilor John Peters, KFN; and Rodney Lee, DFO. (Photo: HSWS)

Held in partnership with the City of Coquitlam, the Salmon Come Home festival returned to its traditional layout and format around the Hoy Creek Hatchery on Oct. 22. The weather was mild and enjoyable as the rains held off.

The event celebrates the return of the salmon and the chum had only just been spotted in the stream a few days prior.

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society (HSWS) would like to thank Kwikwetlem First Nation councilor, John Peters who provided a welcome to open the festivities, along with the president of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society, Kyle Uno.

Entertainer, Angela Brown in hat and rainbow cape is an annual favourite with her stories and costume parade. (Photo: HSWS)

The event was very well attended by other environmental groups and residents enjoyed educational displays, stories and a dress-up parade with Angela Brown and her nylon zoo, musical entertainment by Ruel Morales and Elaina Buenaventura, carvings by Indigenous storyteller, Simon Winadzi Jamesler and Creative Art Cart programs by J Peachy Gallery and crew from Red Fox Society.

A big highlight was seeing live salmon for brief seconds during a talk provided by DFO community advisor, Isaac Nelson, assisted by hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard.

Thanks to Jay Peachy and Friends who put on a pancake breakfast with proceeds supporting the Society.

Thanks also to Radio-Canada / CBC French who came out and featured the event in their newscast that evening.

A great time was had by all!

Children of all ages marvel at the live Coho salmon held by hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard during a talk by DFO. (Photo: HSWS)

Salmon Poaching on Scott Creek

(Photo: HSWS)

On Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 members of Hoy/Scott Watershed Society were out scouting salmon, and came across this carcass near Dewdney Trunk Road at Scott Creek in Coquitlam.

It was very fresh, so likely the salmon was filleted within the past 24 hours.

It's ILLEGAL to fish in local streams, which also includes the removal of carcasses (dead fish). Dead or alive, it is illegal to take fish. If you want to fish, you must have a license to fish, and you must know where it's okay to fish.

If you see people fishing at local streams in any way – with a line, net, or anything else, please contact "Report All Poachers and Polluters" (RAPP) and fill out this form. Or call 1-877-952-7277 or #7277 on the TELUS Mobility Network.

Or fisheries violations, contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) at 1-800-465-4336. You can also contact your local RCMP detachment or municipal police.

Tips for Spotting Salmon in Local Streams

Can you spot the salmon? (Photo: HSWS)

Nature has its own timing…

Each year there is an increase in the number of phone calls and emails the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society (HSWS) receives about the salmon return.

We’re often asked, “Can you tell me what day the salmon are returning?” or “Is there a less busy time to see the salmon?” or “I went to look in the creek but could not see any salmon. What is the best day to come?”

Rain is the most important ingredient. Once the rains return, the salmon follow.

While we know that chum salmon generally return in early October after the first heavy rains, there is no set date, and it fluctuates year to year. Our usual response to this question is to check our website or social media pages.

The good news is, chum and coho salmon have been spotted in Hoy Creek since Oct. 17, 2023.

Wait for the rain to subside and the water levels to lower to spot salmon. Heavy rain results in fast and high-moving water making it difficult to see the salmon.

Hoy and Scott creeks run through urban. private and public lands. You can view salmon any time you like from public areas like the Hoy Creek Linear Park, or beside Guildford Way or off Lansdowne Drive for Scott Creek.

A chum salmon in low creek water on a dry day may not be seen on a heavy rain day when water is rushing and the level is higher. (Photo: HSWS)

Tips for when and how to view:

  • Check first. It’s best to go once you’ve heard that the salmon have returned and have been spotted in the creeks (check our website or social media channels: Instagram or Facebook page).

  • After a rain, or on a clearer weather day. When the rains subside, creek depths lower, and this allows for the water to be quieter and more clear to see through.

  • Listen! You may often hear a salmon before spotting it. They move over shallow waters, or up over rocks or logs by flashing their tails making a splashing sound.

  • Look carefully. Salmon, in particular chum salmon, have similar colours to the rocks or stones in the stream and are therefore naturally camouflaged. Coho are even better at hiding than the chum. If you are expecting to see bright red salmon, you’ve come to the wrong creeks.

  • Sunglasses may help. Fishermen often wear polarized sunglasses to better spot fish in the water.

  • Resting places. Salmon have an arduous journey upstream. They can often be spotted under bridges or hanging branches or fallen logs to build up strength for their next climb.

  • Patience! Salmon may be right where you are looking, but they can be very hard to spot. Take lots of time. It’s often best to stay in one spot for some time to observe before moving further up or down the creek to try another area.

  • Don’t be discouraged. Salmon may not be out every day in the exact spot you are standing during the time you are there. The creeks are long. Try to come another day. When you finally do spot a salmon, you’ll be glad you did! 



Location via Google maps.  The Hoy Creek Hatchery is located on Hoy Creek Trail, west of the City Centre Aquatic Complex at the corner of Pinetree and Guildford Way. Simply Google "Hoy Creek Hatchery" to locate.

Hoy Trail has several entrances:

- Walk-in from Princess Cres. west of City Centre Aquatics Complex
and Lafarge-Lake Douglas Station;
- Walk-in from behind Douglas College and head south;
- Walk-in from Guildford Way (between Johnson and Pinetree) and head north;
- Walk-in from Walton Avenue, or behind Walton Elementary and head south;
- Walk-in from the foot of Lasalle Place and head northeast.

Salmon of Hoy and Scott Creeks:

Chum salmon begin to arrive in early to mid-October through to early November.  Generally, the peak of the run is around the 3rd week of October. They have dark red and black stripes.

Coho salmon arrive in late October through to late December.  Typically, the peak of the run is the 2nd or 3rd week of November.  There are very few fish around into December but there has been the occasional year with good numbers of fish in the stream through to mid or late December.

During odd-numbered years (e.g. 2021), Pink salmon may be found in Hoy and Scott creeks from September to early October.  They are not typically found in large numbers.

Although they don't favor smaller streams like Hoy Creek and Scott Creek, occasionally, Chinook salmon from the Coquitlam River find their way into the creeks.  This may happen under heavy rainfall conditions when the water levels in our streams and rivers are high.  The occasional fish find the current in the creek attractive and detour away from the heavier flows in the Coquitlam River.

Learn more about the lifecycle of the salmon.

Enjoy your salmon spotting!


"The salmon runs are a visible symbol of life, death and regeneration, plain for all to see and share ... The salmon are a test of a healthy environment, a lesson in environmental needs. Their abundant presence on the spawning beds is a lesson of hope, of deep importance for the future of man."
-- Haig-Brown, 1974 (The Salmon)