Inside the front door, there is an aquarium of fish which are the same age and size as the fish in the hatchery's holding tanks. October 2000 photo by Ken Sessler Adult Salmon begin returning to the hatchery via Issaquah Creek in late August and early September. As many as 10,000 to 20,000 salmon may return before the runs are over in December. October 2000 photo by Ken Sessler Upon reaching the hatchery, salmon are strongly encouraged to jump up the fish ladder at the hatchery. October 2000 photo by Ken Sessler Salmon returning to spawn make their way up the Issaquah Creek, up a fish ladder, and into holding tanks behind the hatchery.
Large windows allow for public viewing.
October 2000 photo by David Bangs Eggs are collected and hatched, allowing new salmon to be released to the creek two years later. The hatchery was constructed as a Works Project Administration project during 1936-1937. In the early 1990's, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife announced plans to close the hatchery due to budget constrains. With a new focus on education, watershed stewardship, and bolstering native and threatened salmon such as the Lake Washington steelhead, the hatchery was significantly renovated and expanded in 1997 and 1998 with a new viewing pond, viewing shelter, four raceways, plumbing, stormwater systems, and a fish ladder. The lands on which the hatchery sit are owned by the City of Issaquah which is leasing them to the State of Washington on a 99 year lease.