Coho Salmon Spawning - Lagunitas Creek California

large male coho heading for spawning grounds in Lagunitas Creek watershed

Lagunitas Creek is a tributary to Tomales Bay in Northern California and empties into the southern part of the bay. Presently the population has declined below historic levels. A key reason for the decline appears to be the construction of Kent and Nicasio Reservoirs, which restrict both coho and steelhead spawning to the lowermost portions of Nicasio and Lagunitas Creek.

male and female coho swim side by side in Lagunitas Creek California

Above - a bright red male pairs up with a darker female coho. Most spawning now takes place in San Geronimo Creek, an unregulated tributary, and the region immediately downstream of its confluence with Lagunitas Creek.

female  coho salmon builds her redd by sweeping her tail on gravel Lagunitas Creek in Marin County

Above - a female coho salmon builds her redd by sweeping her tail on gravel Lagunitas Creek in Marin County. The power generated by her tail dislodges sand and sediment allowing the stream's current to move it downstream.

a male silver salmon displays his readiness to spawn with female coho in Lagunitas Creek part of Central Coast Califonia ESU

The Lagunitas Creek watershed supports one of the more consistent small-stream coho runs in Central California. This stream historically supported 500 to 2000 adult spawners yearly. More recent surveys average in the lower end of this range (e.g., 200 to 400).

Read more about California's endangered coho...