by Eric Ettlinger
Spawner surveys in Lagunitas Creek have found the first coho salmon redd (gravel nest) of the 2011-12 season! The redd was observed downstream of Cheda Creek on November 3, making it the earliest coho redd found in Lagunitas Creek since 2001. Chinook salmon are occasionally seen spawning in early November, but they have been extremely rare in Lagunitas Creek during the last five years and this redd had traits typical of coho salmon redds.
No adult salmon have yet been seen in the creek, but clearly at least two have arrived and spawned. MMWD biologists will be surveying the creek weekly and I’ll provide updates throughout the spawning season.