Salmon rearing and release have been the primary focus of the Cougar Creek Salmonid Enhancement Group since 1986. Under the leadership of Pete Willows, this dedicated group of streamkeepers has reared hundreds of thousands of salmon in a small, spring-fed hatchery near the creek. In addition, they have undertaken numerous fish-friendly projects: tree planting, in-stream habitat enhancement, storm drain marking, and involvement with Scouts, Guides and school children.

Each spring, school classes and other volunteers release 10,000 or more fry in several locations along the creek, from the Surrey ponds downstream to the Westview Drive area. Both coho and chum have been stocked. Because chum head for the ocean shortly after their release, the young fish are not as vulnerable as coho to poor in-stream conditions.

Wild, self-sustaining salmon and other fish populations are of course the ultimate goal. Unfortunately, as long as torrential flows of stormwater runoff continue to be piped into the creek, natural spawning is greatly hampered. Fish eggs are swept away by the torrent, or suffocated under sediments that wash off streets and erode from streambanks. Low water levels and warm water temperatures in summer (because groundwater was not replenished during rainy season) are a further problem.

Until fish-friendly ocean conditions and stormwater management are restored, fish populations will continue to need a boost from our hatchery.

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