Thousands of Chinook Salmon Swim into Lakewood and University Place

By Al Schmauder

A historically large number of Chinook salmon returned to Chambers Bay this year according to Rahmi Aiken, manager of the WDFW fish trap at the dam on Chambers Creek. He estimated 5,000 or more fish were either harvested by Tribes, caught by
sport fishermen or released into Chambers Creek.

As of 1 Oct 2026, the WDFW reported releasing 2,135 Chinook over the dam into Chambers Creek – Plus 218 native Coho salmon. More salmon will be released until the run ends, about 15 Oct. Then WDFW will open the fish ladders to allow
free passage of Coho and maybe a few Chum.

This is the second year since fish managers decided to end the policy of killing the excess salmon and instead allowing them to pass around the dam to spawn naturally in Chambers Creek.

On 2 Oct 2025 a Puyallup Tribe biologist counted at least 88 redds (egg nests) in Chambers Creek. This year on 7 Oct the count was 50. Likely because some fish swam further upstream into Steilacoom Lake and Ponce de Leon Creek. Volunteers updated information signs and installed them at the Dam and at Kobayashi Park in University Place. Chambers Bay

A mother and son learn about salmon that return to Chambers Creek.

Kids learned about the life cycle of a female chinook.

People cheered the returning Chinook adults as the fish tried to get over the 100 year old dam which blocks passage to Chambers Creek.

See the salmon in the photo?

Fortunately, this year water flow out of Steilacoom Lake was adequate to fill the fish ladder. As a result many salmon continued their migration trip into the Lake. In past years there was not enough water flow to allow fish to reach the lake.

After passing up this ladder the salmon continued to search for good gravel and clean water to lay their eggs (spawn).

These salmon found Ponce de Leon Creek to be an ideal site to lay their eggs and end their 1,500 mile trip from Alaska. Creekside landowners were elated!! Salmon were also seen in Leach and Flett Creek.