Volunteer
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery! We could not do the work we do without your support. In 2024, volunteers contributed over 6,000 hours to help further our mission of protecting salmon for future generations through education and outreach, and provide operational assistance to the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery.
Volunteer Opportunities
Individuals and groups of all ages and time commitments are welcome to volunteer. Due to the nature of the work, not all opportunities are suitable for everyone. Review the information below to see if volunteering with us is the right fit for you or your group. For all volunteer activities:
- Volunteers under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign the volunteer agreement and waiver.
- Volunteers under the age of 14 must volunteer with a parent or legal guardian.
- Volunteers aged 14 to 17 may need to volunteer with an adult, dependent on informal assessment of personal responsibility by staff.

HATCHERY TOURS
What: Lead 45-minute tours of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery and teach about salmon conservation and the hatchery to students and the public.
When: year-round, all days of the week during daylight hours, peak season is August to November with daily tours from late morning to early afternoon.
Who: individuals, age 16+, multiple shift commitment

SALMON SCIENCE TABLES
What: Teach about salmon conservation and build connections with the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery at school and community events.
When: year-round, peak season is February to May on weekday evenings
Who: individuals, all ages, multiple shift commitment

SPECIAL HATCHERY EVENTS
What: Support special hatchery events by staffing education and outreach stations, the FISHop Gift Shop, assisting with parking, or other roles.
When: Earth Day (April), Summer Solstice (June), Salmon on Sunset (September), and Salmon Days (October)
Who: individuals and groups, all ages, single or multiple shift commitment

FISHOP GIFT SHOP
What: Staff the FISHop Gift Shop at the hatchery. Process transactions, answer visitor questions, and help us support community and tribal nation economies by selling local and native indigenous artist products.
When: year-round as needed, peak season is August to November with shifts on weekday afternoons, Friday evenings, and all day during the weekends.
Who: individuals, age 14+, multiple shift commitment

HATCHERY FISH OPERATIONS
Support with hatchery fish operations such as collecting and mixing eggs and milt from adult fish, sorting out viable eggs, and moving fry to raceways.
When: September to February, as needed on weekdays (usually Tuesdays) during regular business hours, depends on the fish.
Who: individuals, age 14+ (age 18+ for fish handlers), multiple shift commitment

HATCHERY HABITAT STEWARDSHIP
What: Support with groundskeeping, maintenance, and habitat restoration at the hatchery.
When: year-round, usually on the weekends
Who: individuals and groups, all ages, single or multiple shift commitment
Get Started Volunteering
- Individuals: Submit the Volunteer Registration Form.
- Groups: Submit the Group Volunteer Interest Form.