Release the Kokanee

During a ceremonial release of 150 young kokanee on October 12, 2022, partners from the Kokanee Work Group marked the culmination of emergency actions undertaken to keep the species alive. “We will fight along with this little red fish until it is recovered” said King County Executive Dow Constantine during remarks given to the partners, supporters, and community members gathered at the Lake Sammamish State Park Boat Launch just before sunset. Leaders from the Snoqualmie Tribe, Washington State Parks, King County, US House of Representatives, Washington state legislature, Cities of Issaquah, Bellevue, Redmond, and Sammamish, and Trout Unlimited reflected on the efforts our the Kokanee Work Group and partners to restore Lake Sammamish kokanee populations and support the health of the watershed. Members of the Snoqualmie Tribe blessed the kokanee fry and sang and drummed the tribe’s “Eagle Song” before sending the fish off into the lake.

Media coverage and photos of the event

Kokanee Work Group partners, Tribal members, local elected officials, community members, and supporters gather for remarks during the ceremonial kokanee release. Photo by Lake Sammamish Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership
Kokanee Work Group partners, Tribal members, local elected officials, community members, and supporters gather for remarks during the ceremonial kokanee release. Photo by King County Dept. of Natural Resources and Parks
Kokanee Work Group partners, Tribal members, local elected officials, community members, and supporters gather for remarks during the ceremonial kokanee release. Photo by Lake Sammamish Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership.
Kokanee Work Group partners, Tribal members, local elected officials, community members, and supporters gather for remarks during the ceremonial kokanee release. Photo by Lake Sammamish Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership
City of Sammamish Council Member Kent Treen delivers remarks during the ceremonial kokanee release. Photo by Lake Sammamish Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership
Snoqualmie Tribal member and artist Bethany Fackrell, gifts King County staff member Perry Falcone a painting depicting kokanee salmon and the five clans of Snoqualmie people. It was a token of thanks for Falcone’s role in salmon recovery efforts. Ph
Leaders from the Kokanee Work Group pose for a following remarks given during the ceremony. Photo by King County Dept. of Natural Resources and Parks
Snoqualmie Tribe Councilmember Jolene Williams leads a blessing of the kokanee fry before their release. Photo by King County Dept. of Natural Resources and Parks
Snoqualmie Tribal members sing and drum their "Eagle Song" before the kokanee fry are take out into the lake to be released. Photo by King County Dept. of Natural Resources and Parks.
A cooler containing kokanee fry is loaded onto a boat. Photo by King County Dept. of Natural Resources and Parks
Local officials gather and board boats to take kokanee fry out into the lake for release. Photo by King County Dept. of Natural Resources and Parks
Local officials and Tribal members gather and board boats to take kokanee fry out into the lake for release. Photo by Lake Sammamish Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership
Boats carrying kokanee fry head out into the lake for the release. Photo by King County Dept. of Natural Resources and Parks
Snoqualmie Tribal members release kokanee fry into the lake at sunset. Photo by King County Dept. of Natural Resources and Parks
King County Executive Dow Constantine and other officials release kokanee fry. Photo by King County Dept. of Natural Resources and Parks
Signage showing ongoing emergency actions being undertaken to support kokanee recovery. Photo by King County Dept. of Natural Resources and Parks
A child tries the "kokanee catapult", a game designed to teach about the importance of improving fish passage. Photo by King County Dept. of Natural Resources and Parks
Community members gather at information booths provided by Kokanee Work Group partners. Photo by King County Dept. of Natural Resources and Parks

Event photos by King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks and Lake Sammamish Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership