There is nothing quite as exciting to kids as nature, live and in action. My daughters and I discovered this on a recent visit to the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery as we watched swarms of salmon struggle up Issaquah Creek and into the fish ladder. From the bridge that spans the creek we saw salmon jumping, splashing, fighting with each other, and making their way along their journey.
Before we even crossed the bridge, however, we were greeted by two giant, bronze salmon. My three-year-old actually squealed in glee at the sight of them. These statues are the largest “piggy” bank you've ever seen, and we just had to take turns putting money in the slot near one of the fins to make our donation.
The Salmon Hatchery Viewing Area building, located directly behind the salmon sculptures, is a good place to start your tour. You will find self-guided tour pamphlets and a nice exhibit of the life cycle of salmon there to get you started. The self-guided tour seems to be geared more towards older children and adults than the young ones, so we ended up wandering and exploring on our own.
Once we finally made it across the bridge, we came to the fish ladder and the tiered viewing area that surrounds it. We ate our lunch here while we watched the salmon struggle and jump and struggle and jump as they gained each new level on the ladder. We played a game, “Who can spot the female fish?” The male fish are the more colorful ones with hooked noses. The female fish are fewer and harder to find. They have less color and rounded noses.
After lunch we wandered through the native plant gardens, played in the grassy field and explored the many interactive, educational exhibits. We learned about the types of salmon found in Issaquah Creek, who their predators are, how the hatchery works, and how to help keep our creeks and streams healthy.
The most exciting exhibit for both of my children was the giant hands-on board near the fish ladder that dares you with “Can You Beat the Odds?” in big bold letters. You have to spin wheels and push buttons to see if you survive the trek from creek to ocean and back again without, for example, being eaten by a Kingfisher or an Orca, or getting lost in Lake Washington. My six-year-old loved this.
The hatchery is a wonderful outing on a beautiful fall day. The only difficulty is the parking, particularly now, during the hatchery's busy season. There are only two small parking lots, and the entrances are not well marked. On the upside, especially for those of us with small children with small bladders, there are bathrooms available.
Before you say goodbye to the fish, make sure to stop at the semi-circle of boulders near the big grassy area to read the Native American story Salmon People and Raven. The story and traditional Native American artwork are etched right into the rocks.
Erika M. Kapur is a Seattle-area freelance writer and mother of two who'd rather be outside than in.
IF YOU GO
Where: 125 W. Sunset Way, Issaquah. (Don't be fooled by Web sites that list the address as East; the street direction changes at Front Street.)
When: Hatchery grounds open daily during daylight hours. Indoor exhibits open daily 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The best time to visit is when the salmon return to the creek from September through November.
Tours: During the spawning season (September through November), F.I.S.H. (Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery) offers guided tours for groups of 10 or more by reservation only, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m. F.I.S.H. volunteer guides are also available to answer questions Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The guides wear F.I.S.H. vests so they're easy to spot.
Cost: Admission is free; donations are accepted. You can feed coastal cutthroat trout on weekends for $1 if you can find a guide with fish food.
