The Issaquah Salmon Hatchery is one of the best places in Washington to watch the salmon run each fall. Families can see hundreds of salmon swimming upstream, leaping the ladder, and completing their life cycle — all within walking distance of downtown Issaquah.
The fall season is the best time to go. If you’d like to learn more, sign up for a group tour (here’s how to sign up!), and be sure to look into the water from the bridge over West Sunset Way, and spot a salmon taking their long journey from the sea! My kids and I enjoyed this enrichment experience and recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating Northwest species and its life cycle.
We had been to the hatchery, run in partnership with Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (FISH), many times before — but my sons Nikhil and Simon were excited to see what they would find in the streams leading up to the salmon ladder in the hatchery.
Parking and Tours: What Families Need to Know
Taking a 40-minute drive from Woodinville into downtown Issaquah, we parked near the hatchery (free 2-hour street parking on all sides of the facility). Volunteers greeted us at the entrance. Walk-ups are welcome, but I recommend reserving a time online for guaranteed access. Tours last roughly 45 minutes.
Volunteers guide families through the salmon life cycle with hands-on learning. (Image: Jasmin Thankachen / Seattle’s Child)
Salmon in Issaquah Creek
We started our walk at a pair of salmon statues, where we learned about the differences between male and female salmon. “The boys have a hook-like mouth!” observed my oldest, Nikhil.
We moved on to an indoor exhibit, where we saw salmon fry and learned a little more about the spawning process. We walked to a bridge over Issaquah Creek, where we could see dozens of male and female salmon swimming upstream. Some females stopped to wag their tails, clearing an area for nesting. With a swish and a swoosh, we saw males fighting with each other in hopes of fertilizing the female’s eggs.
“Mom! There’s a dead fish, too!” Simon said. Our guide explained to us that after spawning, the salmon die, lying on the banks of streams and rivers. The dead salmon are then eaten by forest animals like beavers, birds, and otters, completing an ecological life cycle. Surviving salmon continue swimming upstream to the ladders of the hatchery, our next stop.
Salmon Ladder and Holding Tanks
Ladders are step-like structures that allow fish to swim around large man-made structures like dams. At the hatchery, salmon jump up the steps to enter a holding tank. We had to have a lot of patience to see the salmon jump the ladder. But when we did, it was exciting to see them flying through the air, landing with a big splash into the next tank.
“They’re huge!” Both children were amazed to see the salmon up close, in the large tank, located at the end of the ladder. We spotted a few different types. Then we looped around to where the baby salmon (called fry) were kept (more than a million of them!) to take a peek. Then onto a map to discuss the journey of wild salmon from the oceans, where they live their adult lives, and then back to the rivers and streams, where they come back to spawn. It was fascinating to learn that they innately know exactly where they were born when it comes time to spawn.
We ended our tour at the facility where biologists farm salmon, taking a look through the windows of the building to see large tubs where salmon eggs are harvested and fertilized, grown and eventually released back into the wild. Did you know that female salmon are clubbed on the head so that their eggs can be harvested?
Visitors can watch salmon fight their way upstream during spawning season. (Image: Jasmin Thankachen / Seattle’s Child)
Hatchery Operations and Life Cycle Learning
“This was really great, Mom! Better than I thought,” said Simon at the end of the tour. Right before lunch, we headed to a larger bridge on the street, past the hatchery entrance, to see more salmon swimming upstream. We made some more observations about the dead fish on the banks and the number of fish that might be making their journey up the stream and back to their birthplace. It was a perfect end to our field trip.
Sweet Stop: Boehm’s Candies in Issaquah
Since we were already in Issaquah, we didn’t miss stopping at the famous Boehm’s Candies, a charming shop filled with house-made candies and chocolates. Adjacent to the store is a beautiful garden and chapel, where we took a self-guided tour. We learned about Boehm’s founder and history. Then we entered the store and picked up a few treats for the ride home.
Know Before You Go: Issaquah Salmon Hatchery
- Location: Downtown Issaquah (125 W. Sunset Way)
- Parking: Free 2-hour street parking on all sides of the hatchery
- Cost: Free (donations encouraged)
- Tour Length: About 45 minutes
- Tours: Walk-ups welcome, but reserve online to guarantee a spot
- Best Time to Visit: Fall spawning season, especially October
More Family Adventures
Looking for more ways to get outside and explore with your kids? Check out our Things to Do section for field trips and excursions, and don’t miss our guide to nature centers that help grow young stewards. If you’re already in Issaquah, the new giant indoor sandbox is a must-see.
