There is a self-guided tour of the hatchery where you can learn about fish propagation. Steelhead trout hatch and live in the Trinity River until they have grown old enough to migrate downstream to the ocean. They live in the ocean for two to four years before returning to the river to spawn. The Sven-Olbertson Side Channel is an excellent place to watch this annual cycle with the steelhead as well as salmon. Rainbow, brook and brown trout inhabit the waters of Lewiston lake.
Rainbows are silvery while browns and brookies are darker with large reddish spots.
Brookies have dark, wiggly lines on their backs. If you watch for them carefully along the grassy banks of the river, you might see a mink. They are not exactly a common sight, but riparian areas in Trinity County do carry a healthy population of these little members of the weasel family. They are meat eaters and do go after fish in the shallows of the river. Directions From Redding, take Highway 299 West thirty-seven miles.