What if we are late?
If you are going to be late, please call FISH at 425-392-8025. Due to a very busy tour schedule, groups arriving 15 or more minutes late may lose their tour reservation. If you arrive too late for a guided tour, you may use a self-guided tour brochure while visiting the hatchery. Please do try your best to be on time. Our volunteer tour guides take time off from work to lead these tours and are very sad when their groups don’t show up.
What if we arrive early?
Even if you arrive early, we cannot start your tour until your scheduled tour time. You are welcome to walk around the facility, but please be respectful of other groups receiving tours. For instance, if your entire class is waiting near the viewing windows and a tour group comes over, please have your students quietly move aside so the tour group can get a look too so they don’t miss out on this. It’s one of the highlights!
Where should we park?
There is minimal parking available at the hatchery. Carpooling is highly recommended. There are eight (8) stalls in the lot off Sunset Way near the shop. Another parking lot is located along a fence behind the fish ponds (also off Sunset Way). To access this driveway, turn in near the large black mailbox off Sunset Way (between fish ponds) Additional parking is located along Front Street and Newport Way and at the large parking garage facility next to the Issaquah Library. Busses are welcome to pull into the parking lots to let students off, then find parking on the street. PLEASE DO NOT DRIVE ACROSS THE FOOT BRIDGE AT THE HATCHERY!!!
Can we bring our lunch?
Absolutely! During the fall when we have so many visitors, we ask that students eat at Gibson Park, which is located across the street from the hatchery on Newport Way. There is a lovely covered eating area with picnic tables. Please be sure to bring your own garbage bags. Please use our Dumpster located in front of the shop, not the trash cans located around the hatchery.
How many chaperones do you require?
FISH requests that at least one adult accompany every ten children. Younger children may need additional supervision.
When do you take eggs from the adult salmon?
Starting the last Tuesday in September, hatchery personnel retrieve ripe eggs from the females (hens) and fertilize them with milt from the males (bucks). Spawning usually occurs each Tuesday morning (usually 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.) through the end of November, although there may be a break between Chinook and Coho spawning. Prior to egg and milt removal, the salmon are removed from the water, hit over the head to knock them out, then the females bellies are slit open to remove the eggs. This is a bloody process and is not meant for young children, or the queasy. Spawning dates and times are subject to change without notice
How long is the tour?
The tours last approximately 45 minutes.
Can we visit the
hatchery even if we don’t schedule a tour?
Yes, you are welcome to visit anytime, however we cannot provide guided tours for groups that are not scheduled. The hatchery is open from dawn to dusk, although some exhibits are only open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Self-guided tour brochures are located in the viewing room with double green doors in front of the hatchery building, which is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
What if we have to cancel?
If you need to cancel a reservation, this must be done at least three (3) days prior to your scheduled tour so we time to alert our volunteers. Please e-mail fishvolunteer@msn.com or call 425-392-8025.
Is there a fee for the tour?
No. FISH staff members and volunteers lead educational tours of the hatchery as a service to the community, although donations to the organization are accepted. Children enjoy placing coins in the slot under the fin of the salmon statue in front of the hatchery. (By the way, his name is Finley and his mate is Gilda).
Is the facility wheelchair accessible?
Yes. We also have two wheelchairs on site available for use. Contact FISH ahead of time if visitors in your party require special assistance and we will do our best to accommodate you.
What is your address?
125 West Sunset Way, Issaquah, Washington 98027
What times are tours offered?
Tours are offered at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Later tour times are offered on Wednesdays from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Contact FISH to make a reservation.
When is the best time of year to visit the hatchery?
The best time to view adult salmon at the hatchery is between mid-September and mid-November. Typically, the first Chinook arrive in early September; the first Coho return in early October. In October you are likely to see three species of salmon: Chinook (king), Coho (silver), and Sockeye.
What the minimum number of people required to schedule a tour? What is the maximum?
You must have a minimum of ten (10) people to schedule a tour. FISH cannot accommodate more than 50 visitors per hour. Typically, there is one guide for every 10-12 visitors.
Do you offer tours on the weekends?
FISH will try to accommodate requests for group tours on Saturdays and Sundays, but it is not guaranteed. Contact FISH in advance to check availability of guides. Sometimes our volunteers will place a sign out front listing a time that day that a tour will be given.
What will we see on our tour?
During the fall, visitors will view adult salmon spawning in Issaquah Creek, the fish ladder and hatchery holding ponds. There are exhibits and a display garden for visitors to enjoy. Each visit to the hatchery provides new and fascinating experiences. FISH encourages patrons to visit several times a year to view the various stages of salmon eggs and fry.