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A close-up portrait of a handsome male Chinook salmon, resting for a moment in a shallow breeding river
 

Every fall, as the waters of Lake Ontario cool, one of nature’s most dramatic migrations is triggered. Chinook salmon surge into the tributaries of Lake Ontario in a powerful, instinct-driven run. This is a brief window of time that offers the compelling opportunity to document the energy, transformation, and closing chapter of a remarkable life cycle. Photographing Chinook salmon underwater during this run is both technically challenging and deeply rewarding, demanding preparation, patience, and the right gear to bring the scene to life.

Many of these tributaries offer relatively clear water with accessible stretches to experience this phenomenon. Timing is critical as peak runs typically occur from late September through October, depending on rainfall and water levels. After fresh rain, visibility can drop quickly, so targeting stable conditions with moderate flow for improved clarity is key. Early morning often provides the best combination of soft ambient light and reduced disturbance from anglers and foot traffic. I prefer to photograph from areas along the river where fishing is prohibited, as I will not be in the way of anglers.
 

Looking down from above the river at a large school of migrating Chinook salmon—a beautiful setting for some underwater photography!
 

Chinook salmon are powerful, fast-moving subjects, often navigating shallow riffles and deeper pools as they move upstream. The bodies of the salmon will transform from silver lake-phase fish to darker, mottled spawning colors, create striking visual contrast against the rocky riverbed. Capturing the intensity of the fall salmon run requires getting close—very close—to your subject, which is why a wide-angle setup is essential.

My go-to configuration for photographing the fall salmon run is the OM System OM-1 with the M.Zuiko 8mm f/1.8 Fisheye PRO lens paired with a 4-inch mini dome port and dual strobes. This setup is ideal for several reasons. The fisheye lens allows you to focus extremely close, minimizing the amount of water between you and the subject, which is crucial for maintaining sharpness and contrast in freshwater environments where particulate matter can quickly degrade the image quality. The mini dome enhances corner sharpness while keeping the system compact and maneuverable among the rocky substrate typical of many streams and rivers.
 

A portrait of a beautiful Chinook salmon showing off some impressive dentition
 

Working at close distances also lets you exaggerate perspective, making the salmon appear larger than life while still including elements of their environment. Positioning yourself slightly upstream and low to the riverbed allows for the best perspectives. The salmon do tend to be quite skittish so I often look for individuals holding their position while they rest before the next push upstream. These individuals will often allow a close approach within inches. Remaining still is critical; sudden movements will spook fish and disrupt natural behavior. It is often common to see hundreds of fish holding in the current of the river, but they will scatter once you enter the water and approach. When they scatter, look for the individuals that did not swim away, as they are likely to be the ones that will hold their position and allow for photography.

Since many of the tributaries used by the salmon are very shallow, with a maximum depth of one to two feet, I find it easiest to use a pair of chest waders to approach the fish. When a cooperative subject is found, I can then position myself and essentially photograph blindly by submersing my underwater setup in close proximity to the fish and fire a few frames. The shallow rivers also allow plenty of opportunities to capture over-under scenes as well.
 

Over-under images are a fantastic way of providing context for a subject and adding an impressive secondary element to the picture. Here, the Chinook salmon is the focal point of the picture but the above-water portion shows off the beautiful habitat
 

Lighting plays a huge role in bringing out the detail and color of spawning Chinook. Dual strobes help freeze motion and illuminate the fish evenly, especially in shaded pools or under overcast skies. I typically pull the strobes close to the handles to reduce the potential for shadows across the nose of the salmon and pull back the strobes to reduce too much particulate matter in the water from being illuminated.

Fast shutter speeds are essential to freeze the motion of these strong swimmers, particularly in faster current. I often work in the range of 1/160s to 1/250s and select an aperture of f/8 to maintain depth of field and select an ISO to achieve the correct exposure. The fisheye lens’ inherent depth of field is a major advantage here, allowing for sharp images even when working close.

Beyond the technical aspects, photographing Chinook salmon during the fall run is about storytelling. These fish are nearing the end of their journey, driven by instinct to spawn in the same waters where they began. Photographing them as they navigate the current, obstacles, and interacting with one another can all add emotional weight to your images.
 

Even with a small dome port, the shallow water provides interesting opportunities for split-level photography of these impressive fish
 

It’s also important to approach this environment with respect. Spawning salmon are vulnerable, and minimizing disturbance is essential. Avoid stepping on redds, give fish space when possible, and be mindful of other river users. I prefer to photograph the salmon downstream of the actual spawning sites to eliminate any risk of interfering with the spawning process.

In the end, photographing Chinook salmon underwater in the tributaries is about immersing yourself, literally and creatively, in one of nature’s most dynamic seasonal events. With the right gear, thoughtful technique, and a patient approach, you can capture images that not only showcase the beauty of these fish but also tell the story of their final journey upstream.
 

As a salmon nears the end of its life, it begins to rot. However, this does not keep them from continuing on their mission of migrating upstream to spawn. This fish is far from death…
 

To see more of Andrew’s work, please give him a follow on Instagram and visit his website, www.andrewmclachlan.ca.