Source: Tiger Mountain Photo

Something fishy is going on at the Hatchery! The central theme of the festival, this Washington State salmon hatchery was constructed during the depression by the WPA and opened in 1936. Since then, the hatchery has been in continuous operation and today is the only state hatchery within city limits, drawing more than 300,000 visitors annually.

 The hatchery raises two of the five types of Pacific salmon; Coho or silver salmon and Chinook or king salmon. The hatchery provides an artificial means for spawning salmon, eggs are removed from the female fish and fertilized. Once the fish mature into "fingerlings" they are released into the Issaquah Creek to begin their migration downstream.

During Salmon Days, the hatchery, at the center of the Festival's attractions is filled with displays, informational exhibits, activities and knowledgeable hatchery docents.

For more information on the hatchery and free local educational services for both schools and the public, contact Friends of the Issaquah Hatchery (F.I.S.H) at 425-392-1118 or visit www.issaquahfish.org

Also, don't forget to check out the SalmonCam, where the WildWatchCam project and its partners have looked for ways to provide the public with exciting underwater views of several salmon species that use the freshwater and marine environments of Washington.

Source: Tiger Mountain Photo    

For more information on the Festival email info@salmondays.org or call 425.392.0661.