Chinook Salmon in the Middle Fork of the Salmon River

The Middle Fork basin contains some of the best Chinook salmon habitat in the entire Columbia River basin. The Middle Fork Chinook salmon population has not been genetically altered by hatchery fish, a rarity in the continental United States for these fish.

In late summer-early fall, salmon prepare their spawning nests (redds) in the gravel at the bottom of the river, where they bury their eggs. The majority of these redds are created in the tributaries to the Middle Fork, but many are also built in the mainstem, and boaters and fishermen should avoid disturbing these nests.

Flagging is pulled late in the fall. Fall and spring boaters are asked to avoid disturbing these spawning sites by using the maps to avoid redd damage. Spring boaters are asked to avoid redds through the end of April, when the fry emerge from the redds.

Redd at Ramshorn (the light spot in the middle of the photo). Airplane redd - 2007

In 1995, researchers began to document redds in the mainstem of the Middle Fork.

Information and Education for boaters about the spawning Chinook salmon and how to avoid disturbing spawning fish or damaging redds. Please read Sharing the River with the Chinook Salmon brochure.

Campsite closures may be implemented if a redd is established in such a way that boaters would have to disturb spawning fish or the redd to land or launch at that camp.

To see redd locations from previous years, click on these maps:

2023 Chinook Redds

2022 Chinook Redds: Marsh Creek, Middle Fork

2015 Chinook Redds in the mainstem of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River

2015 Chinook Redds in Marsh Creek and upstream of Boundary Creek

2014 Chinook Redds

2013 Middle Fork Redd Map