Why There’s No Salmon Leave Home Festival This Year

Each spring, the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society looks forward to welcoming the community to our Salmon Leave Home Festival—a celebration of the moment our young chum salmon begin their journey to the ocean.

This year, however, nature had other plans.

An earlier-than-usual release of chum salmon is underway, reflecting a noticeable shift in local environmental conditions and our ongoing efforts to adapt to them. With Metro Vancouver experiencing an unusually mild winter—on track to record its first snow-free season since 1982–83, with no measurable snowfall recorded through March 21, 2026—our watersheds are already feeling the effects of warmer air and water temperatures.

Warmer water temperatures can accelerate growth rates in juvenile fish, giving them a head start as they begin their journey. In this case, the early release aligns with conditions that are already nudging nature’s schedule forward—whether we planned it or not.

However, the same factors influencing hatchery-raised fish are also at play in the wild. Earlier warming trends can affect the timing of natural food availability, migration patterns, and stream conditions for wild salmon populations. What may seem like a small seasonal shift can ripple across entire ecosystems, underscoring the delicate balance within our watersheds.

This year’s early release is both an opportunity and a reminder. As conditions evolve, so too must our awareness of how interconnected these systems are. The health of salmon—iconic to British Columbia—depends not only on stewardship efforts at places like Hoy Creek Hatchery, but also on broader environmental choices made across our region.

As we enjoy snow-free sidewalks and an early hint of spring, it’s worth reflecting on what lies beneath the surface. Our watersheds are changing, and with them, the future of the species that depend on them. Thoughtful management and continued vigilance will be key to ensuring that both hatchery and wild salmon populations can thrive in the years ahead.

Thank you for your understanding—and for continuing to support salmon in our community.

– Tyler Storgaard, Manager, Hoy Creek Hatchery

In lieu of Salmon Leave Home, we invite you to join us at our monthly Open House on April 4 from 9:30–11:30 a.m. and help us release the chum.

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. Here’s how to find the hatchery.