Leo T. Cronin Fish Viewing Area, Lagunitas-Forest Knolls, CA

9/9/13

Fishay, fishay!

Stop the car! I must see the fishies!  Even though it was a pretty inconvenient stop to turn around, my driver happily did so at my request. We went back to where the sign had caught my eye "Fish Viewing Area".  I didn't know what this place was, but I liked it.

It's exactly what it says it is. No tricks. It's an area to view fish! Most specifically, spawning (endangered) coho salmon. Hells yes. From November through February the Laguanitas Creek will see salmon and ask that park visitors be quiet as they view and not make sudden movements. The park is open from sunrise to sunset.

West Marin is a beautiful area and this is one of the healthiest creeks for salmon spawning. It's a really great spot to stop, whether or not you see fish. There is a great trail you can walk down under a shaded path along the creek.  Marin Municipal Water District has implemented a variety of environmentally friendly habitat improvements to this area. They also maintain a bulletin board in the parking lot with information about the fish, their preservation, and volunteer opportunities related to the same.

So glad we turned around and went back to check this out!