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    Issaquah Salmon Hatchery

    4.6 (31 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

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    Salmon jumping
    Eva M.

    I come to the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery once a year, during the Issaquah Salmon Festival. It is very likely the absolute worst time to come. But I enjoy it every year. Because it's festival time, there are extra booths to share everything about the environment - from rainwater run-off to toxic weeds, wildlife in the area, responsible living, and of course, about salmon. There are information boards everywhere for self-education. A small museum-like structure is one of the viewing points to see the hatchery. Watching the salmon jump at the entry way into the fish ladder is always a must. The "go-home" instincts are just amazing. Ponds that are labeled "Fish Fry" is not to fry the fish. These contain the small fishes growing up till they reach a big enough size to be released into the wild. Hosted by an army of volunteers, they are available to answer questions. Some are standing at key locations carrying a sign called "F.I.S.H. DOCENT, ASK ME!" FISH = Friends of Issaquah Salmon Hatchery. During this busy festival weekend, they also lay out different salmon types with signs for people to see and touch. These are educational and very slimy-looking. It is funny to see the kids and adults squealing gross, gross, gross, as they continue to touch the fish. For those who don't want to deal with the crowds, come on a weekend that is not the salmon festival. Weekdays have school groups that also can get crowded.

    Stream where you can see Salmon
    Ratish K.

    A small hatchery in heart of Issaquah downtown. Had a good time seeing the salmon in the wild in the stream flowing through the hatchery and jumping in the fish ladder. They also had rainbow trout breeding in the hatchery. It was Salmon Festival so had food trucks in the campus. Parking can be a nightmare but there are plenty of parking spots in downtown within a mile.

    Salmon
    Catherine M.

    This is a really neat place for kids and adults. I think I liked it more than my kids or the kids from the field trip. We've been here multiple times. If you come around October/November, you will see tons of salmon in the water. Some of the fish can look a little gruesome because they are dying. The school field trip was really cool and our guide was great! The kids loved that they got to feed the trout!

    The art wall of salmon
    Elijah L.

    This place is one of Washington's finest wildlife places in the middle of Issaquah. We came here just because we had to go to target and I ended up loving every minuite. The salmon ladders go right trough the place. You can see all of the fish and the places where they go to spawn. There are lots of learning activities for the kids. You can see the development of the fish as they are. If you are in this place driving, stop for a few minutes you may Learn a few things... now I get why Kokane the hip hop artist spells his name in the way he does!

    looking into the creek
    Nate J.

    See the life cycle of the salmon up close and personal. Located at 125 W Sunset Way, the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery has more than 300,000 visitors each year. The best time to visit is September and October, when the salmon return to the hatchery up Issaquah Creek and when the Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (F.I.S.H.) offers public tours. Great educational fun for kids and adults... From their website: "This site was once part of "City Park", which was connected to downtown Issaquah with a wooden bridge over Issaquah Creek. During the 1920's, the park was well used with a bandstand and speaking platform for large holiday celebrations; and there was much picnicking along the creek. The hatchery was constructed as a Works Project Administration project during 1936-1937. Plans included: Hatchery Building (increased in size during late design phase from 90 feet long to 176 feet!), hatching troughs, deep tray troughs, hatchery baskets, egg trays, overseer's residence, feed house, garage, rearing ponds, water system, and racks and traps. In the early 1990's, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife announced plans to close the hatchery due to budget constrains. But the City of Issaquah, Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (F.I.S.H.), the Muckleshoot Tribe, and King County all urged the state to keep the hatchery open. With a new focus on education, watershed stewardship, and bolstering native and threatened salmon such as the Lake Washington steelhead, the hatchery was significantly renovated and expanded in 1997 and 1998 with a new viewing pond, viewing shelter, four raceways, plumbing, stormwater systems, and a fish ladder. As of 1999, more significant improvements are still in the works! The lands on which the hatchery sit are owned by the City of Issaquah which is leasing them to the State of Washington on a 99 year lease." http://www.issaquahhistory.org/sites/salmonhatchery.htm http://www.issaquahfish.org/ http://wdfw.wa.gov/wildwatch/salmoncam/index.html

    Jessica M.

    Just visited during the Issaquah Salmon Days Festival. Knowledgeable "salmon docents" were around every corner to provide info and answer questions. I don't recommend going during the festival because it was very crowded and difficult to get a good view of the salmon in the tanks. Great place to take kids, they have interactive info stations about the salmon's journey.

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    18 years ago

    This place is very cool. If you can make it here when the salmon are spawning and around the Salmon fest it's even better!

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    Ask the Community - Issaquah Salmon Hatchery

    Review Highlights - Issaquah Salmon Hatchery

    He loves to run around checking out all of the different tanks, the fish ladder, bridge, and outdoor displays.

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    Issaquah Salmon Hatchery - tours - Updated May 2026

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