Scott Creek

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 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

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)

Trash Removed from Scott and Hoy Creeks

HSWS president, Kyle and the haul from only two-hours work off Runnel Drive by Scott Creek.

In-stream work during the year is avoided except for the months of July and August.

Each year in late summer we walk along the creeks to collect garbage in-stream. We are often amazed at how much has accumulated over a year, and more recently, how much trash accumulates in heavy-traffic areas within a month or two!

In 2023, we were out in July and then August. We returned to the busy streets: Runnel Drive and Aberdeen Ave.

Trash included a lighting panel with bulbs, a car seat, umbrellas, plants, a purse, clothes and shoes, books, paint cans and other aerosols, a computer monitor, a fire extinguisher, tires, furniture, shopping cart and basket, and the usual fast food and cigarette litter.

Trash collection is coordinated with the City of Coquitlam. Thank you.

Trash in Scott Creek. During a July visit at this same location (at Runnel) furniture was pulled from the stream.

Trash collection on the bank of Scott Creek, south of Guildford and west of Lansdowne.

Trash removal at Aberdeen Ave in July, above Scott Creek.

Robbin and Matt with bags of trash and clothing by Scott Creek south of Guildford and west of Lansdowne.

Anne with a haul in July on Runnel Drive. The furniture seen here was in the stream.

Matt gives a thumbs up at the end of another two-hour session. All the trash was moved to one central location for the City of Coquitlam to pickup.

Surplus Coho Fry Released

Matt nets some Coho fry to release into the creek.

On June 29, Hoy Creek Hatchery held approximately 8,405 coho fry.

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society's annual aquaculture license with federal fisheries allows us to incubate up to 25,000 eggs but only release 5,000 1-year-old Coho smolts from that brood year in May.

Any excess are released to other creek areas. From those locations, the Coho fry can make use of the habitat, grow and eventually make their way out to the ocean to complete their lifecycle.

Transport bin.

Matt releasing fish into the stream.

HSWS volunteers Tyler Storgaard and Matthew Watts weighed and counted out our surplus fry (5,265), loaded up the truck for transport and released them at 8 different locations along Hoy and Scott creeks. The fry weighed approximately 3.5 grams and are about 5 months old.

The remaining hatchery fry will be transferred to the rearing pond at Hoy Creek and will remain there until they will be released at our Salmon Leave Home event in May 2024.

Coho Off to Sea After Successful Salmon Leave Home Event

It's off to see until you are three! We'll see you again when you are all grown, and return to make your little ones a home. – A resident poses with his four-legged friend in front of our selfie-station. (Photo: HSWS)

Thanks to those who came to our Freshwater Hoy School Graduation of our cohos of 2022!

Our Salmon Leave Home 2022 theme was Keeping Salmon Safe, focusing on the health and life-cycle of the salmon, as well as the health of the riparian area. The event took place at Hoy Creek Hatchery on May 14.

Visitors were able to sign a bon voyage card for the salmon, pledge stating what they could do to protect the fish, take a photo in front of a selfie station and play the Plinko game trying to get their salmon to saltwater safety. Coho fry were on display and Rodney Lee provided salmon education. Families learned about the hatchery and salmon life-cycle as well identification of invasive plants for Invasive Species Awareness Month.

Rodney Lee, HSWS Director provides salmon education. (Photo: HSWS)

The first 18 months of the life history of the coho salmon is spent in a freshwater stream environment. HSWS volunteers incubate coho eggs and rear fry to the smolt stage in our rearing pond. From the creek, the smolts begin their journey to the ocean: Hoy Creek → Scott Creek → Coquitlam River → Fraser River → Strait of Georgia / Pacific Ocean!

In alignment with our theme, Keeping Salmon Safe, we did not do our usual salmon release with buckets. Our coho had a tough winter and our aim is to reduce their stress.

HSWS volunteer, Jo assists a Coquitlam family with the salmon Plinko game. (Photo: HSWS)

Coho Smolts Released to Hoy Creek

Following the Salmon Leave Home event, we were able to release our coho smolts from the rearing pond – a pure coincidence with the event! This took place by lifting the boards between the rearing pond and the creek channel.

“Our objective was to time the release with high water and steady flows to ensure the smolts could have a safe run out,” said hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard. “The conditions on the day of the event were good.”

2740 smolts were released with an average weight of 18.9g. It takes the smolts anywhere from two to seven days to make it out to sea.

View more photos on our Facebook page.

Chum Salmon Have Returned to Hoy and Scott Creeks

Chum Salmon Oct. 10 2021.jpeg

The Thanksgiving long weekend was the first sighting of chum salmon returning to the streams. The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society has a salmon survey underway where a group of volunteers head out weekly to assess one area of Hoy Creek. This area is 750m from the Johnson St. pond to the hatchery bridge. Six chum were spotted within a two-hour window in one area.

There has been a steady show since.

This comes as great news as the Society will host the Salmon Come Home event on Sunday, Oct. 24 in partnership with the City of Coquitlam.

Society volunteers will be busy over the upcoming weeks with broodstock collection under the leadership of hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard.

If you plan to check out the salmon, reference our Salmon Spotting Tips.

Hoy and Scott Creeks Get a Clean at Two Busy Locations

Near the trailhead at Scott Creek Linear Park, before the team split up into two groups.

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society volunteers were out in good number on Sept. 5, so we were able to clean along two Coquitlam streets.

It was a return visit to Scott Creek Linear Park (off Runnel) after a two-year gap, but the crew was able to get a good haul of trash and remove the remains of a homeless camp.

Over at Aberdeen Ave., the crew working there were surprised to see the amount of trash since it had only been one year since the last clean in the area.

“It always amazes us to see the amount of trash being dumped in our parks and streams,” said society president, Robbin Whachell. “It’s rewarding to come out as a group to alleviate what we can.”

The stream clean exercise is conducted annually prior to the fall rains and return of the salmon.

The haul on Aberdeen Ave, Coquitlam.

The City of Coquitlam supported the exercise by having a truck and driver available between both sites for a quick collection of the rubbish.

The haul included a foot soaker, various car parts, part of a bike, a scooter, a ski, a license plate, a pitchfork, a bed frame, garden hose, rope, plastic storage container, ceramics, syringes, carpeting and underlay, a rug, a quilt, clothing, a cooking pot and pan, and the usual fast-food containers. Face masks and cigarettes were the most common item.

The team plans to return to Runnel to get a mattress out of Scott Creek which was well up from the road, and a shopping cart and dresser out of the tunnel below Runnel in Hoy Creek.

View our Facebook photo album.

Volunteers and part of the haul from Runnel Drive.

Mattress in Hoy Creek south of Aberdeen.

Carpet from the Scott Creek Linear Park.


Salmon-Spotting Map and Scavenger Hunt Released by City of Coquitlam

Click to open this activity page and download from the City of Coquitlam website.

Click to open this activity page and download from the City of Coquitlam website.

While the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society has cohosted our Salmon Come Home event with the City of Coquitlam for over 25 years, this year will be different. 

Salmon Come Home has been canceled due to pandemic regulations, but we're excited to tell you that it's prime viewing for chum salmon in Hoy and Scott Creeks. Chum salmon started arriving on Thanksgiving weekend.

To celebrate the return of the salmon, the City of Coquitlam has created a map of prime viewing areas around the city as well as a children’s nature scavenger hunt to enjoy in the great outdoors. 

Head out and enjoy the fall colours and all the wonders of nature.

Check out our Salmon-spotting Tips.

Enjoy the salmon-spotting season!