Field Trips

School Field Trips

Bring your students to the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery for a one-of-a-kind learning experience! Students will learn about the miraculous journey of Pacific salmon, efforts to protect their threatened populations, the importance of clean watersheds, and the actions we can take to support them… all while touring a working hatchery.

We run regular programming for schools September through November when the salmon are returning on their annual migration. We do offer field trips in the winter and spring upon request.

Step 1: Plan Your Visit

Length of Tour
Tour Times
What Will You See?

During the fall, students will view adult salmon spawning in Issaquah Creek, the fish ladder and hatchery holding ponds. In the spring, students will see young salmon being raised in the rearing ponds prior to their release into the Creek in April. All year long, students will see exhibits, a native plant garden and wetland.
Best Time of Year to Visit

The best time to view adult salmon at the hatchery is between September and mid-November. Typically, the first Chinook arrive in late August; the first coho return in late September. In early October you are likely to see two species of salmon: Chinook (king) and coho (silver). Occasionally, sockeye, pink and kokanee have appeared in Issaquah Creek.
Minimum # of People
Chaperones
Bringing Lunch

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 as well as a playground. 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.
Accessibility
Address
Parking

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. Additional parking is located along Front Street and Newport Way and at the large parking garage facility next to the Issaquah Library. Buses are welcome to pull into the parking lots to let students off, then find parking on the street. Please do not drive across the footbridge at the hatchery!
Pricing

A school field trip is $5.00 per student plus a 3.5% processing fee. Teachers and adult chaperones are not included in this price. This cost allows FISH to continue providing these educational experiences for students and keep the salmon coming home.

After completing the registration form, a PayPal invoice will be emailed to the payment contact provided. Payment is due on the day of the field trip. Payment can be completed electronically via PayPal or manually via check, money order, or cash.
Title I Schools

Discounts are available for Title I schools, please select the Title I option when filling out our registration form for the code. If you have additional questions about this option, please contact our education department via email at education@issaquahfish.org.

Step 2: Book a Tour

Thank you for your interest in visiting our hatchery! Please email our Education Coordinator to request a school tour in the winter or spring. Please include your school name, requested date/time, and number of students with your request.

Step 3: how to prepare

FAQs

When are Salmon Spawned?

Starting in late September, hatchery personnel and FISH volunteers retrieve ripe eggs from the females (hens) and fertilize them with milt from the males (bucks). Spawning usually occurs on Tuesday mornings through mid-November, although this is not a guarantee. Days may shift on short notice due to hatchery staffing, conflicting events, and salmon biology. Please note, during spawning, the fish are humanely put down. The process can be bloody and is not meant for young children or the queasy.
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. We may not be able accommodate entire classes attending for self-guided tours during the times that we lead scheduled tours due to site capacity. Please email education@issaquahfish.org or call 425-392-1118 to check the schedule.

The hatchery is open from dawn to dusk, although some exhibits are only open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Self-guided tour QR codes can be scanned with a smartphone and are located at over a dozen locations around the hatchery. Thanks to the hard work of volunteers, the audio tour has been translated into several languages to accommodate the visitors from 40+ countries we receive every year!
What if We are Splitting Our Students Between Two Tour Slots?

It is the responsibility of the teachers and chaperones to keep the students who are not on a tour occupied and engaged. Due to space constraints at the hatchery and to limit disruptions for active tour groups, we ask that you bring students to Gibson Park, located just across from the hatchery on Newport Way where there is a picnic shelter, tables, and a playground. Please supply your own garbage bags and collect all trash before departing.

Ten minutes before your tour is scheduled to begin, please make your way to the flagpole at the front of the hatchery.
What if We are Late?

If you are going to be late, please call FISH immediately at 425-392-1118. Due to a very busy tour schedule, groups arriving 15 or more minutes late will 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 be on time. Our volunteer docents take time off from work to lead these tours and we expect communication if you are going to no-show, so we can allow others to experience the miracle of the salmon!
What if We Arrive Early?

Even if you arrive early, we cannot start your tour until your scheduled tour time. Upon arrival, please gather your groups at the flagpole in front of the hatchery. If you are early, please keep your group contained to this area as other tours may still be taking place. Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes early unless you intend to use Gibson Park for lunch.
What if We Have to Cancel?

We understand that circumstances change and that your group may need to change or cancel a field trip. If this is the case,

please let our staff know as soon as possible by emailing education@issaquahfish.org or calling 425-392-1118. To

provide flexibility and respect the time of both volunteers and other school groups, our policy regarding changes or

cancellations can be reviewed below:

Changes or cancellations made two weeks or more prior to the field trip date are available at no additional cost and the

school will receive a full refund within two weeks if cancelled.

Changes within two weeks of the field trip date are available at no additional cost, however, there is no guarantee that

changes can be accommodated so the field trip may be cancelled and is not eligible for a refund.

Cancellations within two weeks of the field trip date or school groups that no-show on the day of the field trip are not

eligible for a refund.

School Field Trip Terms and Conditions

Review our School Field Trip Terms and Conditions.

Additional Questions?

Our office is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Phone: 425-392-1118

Email: education@issaquahfish.org