Salmon Viewing in Issaquah

We Welcome the Salmon Home August through November – it is Salmon Viewing Season!

“Those who learn to listen to the world that sustains them can hear the message brought forth by the salmon.” – Billy Frank Jr.

Download Salmon Viewing Map

Beginning as early as August, the “salmon run,” is active through November. Follow the fins from Lake Sammamish through Issaquah Creek to the Fish Hatchery in the heart of Issaquah’s historic downtown.

Salmon Celebrations and Educational Opportunities

Free Guided Walk: Learn about Issaquah’s efforts to conserve and restore riparian and instream habitat along this reach of Issaquah Creek to support threatened Chinook salmon populations. August 2, 9am-11am, meet at Pickering Barn 1730 10th Ave NW Free to participate. Registration Required. No pets allowed.

Guided Heritage and Natural History Tour: The City of Issaquah and Issaquah History Museum guides will discuss the landscape as it was when the first Euro/American migrants arrived, how the early settlers modified the landscape, and what has been done since and the long-term consequences of all this change. Tuesday, August 6 from 5pm-7pm or Wednesday, August 7, from 10am-noon. Click here for more information and to register.

Confluence Park Music Festival
August 25, 2pm-7pm, located at 595 Rainier Blvd N

While not a salmon-themed event, the festival setting is along the Issaquah Creek, and you just might see some fins from the bridge above!

Salmon on Sunset, Boogie, Bites and Brews
September 14, 10am-6pm at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery

In addition to seeing the returning salmon and exploring this working hatchery, there will be live music, food trucks, exhibits, vendors, and lots of interactive activities for all ages!

Lake Sammamish Perch-A-Thon
September 21, Lake Sammamish Boat Launch

The purpose of the event is to help eradicate (or at least diminish) the perch population in Lake Sammamish. This is a fun event with some great prizes, plus you get to take home a bunch of great eating panfish. Register Here

Issaquah Salmon Days Festival
October 5th and 6th

The nationally acclaimed Salmon Days Festival is the largest two-day outdoor festival in Washington State. Produced by the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce.

The Issaquah Hatchery is Open to the Public Year Round

Festivals are not the only time you can see salmon.

The Friends of Issaquah Salmon Hatchery operate the environmental science center on the hatchery grounds that include both guided and self-guided tours, with certified salmon docents on hand for walk-up questions and wayfinding.

Book a Guided Tour at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery: Guided tours last 45-60 minutes. Tours are led by trained volunteer docents or staff and last around 45 minutes and highlight the cultural, historical and ecological significance of salmon, hatchery operations & the importance of hatcheries. Tours should be booked 2 weeks in advance. Click here to book.

Create Your Own Issaquah Adventures Using Our Favorites Tool

Make it a Day Trip, Spend the Night, Stay the Weekend!

In addition to special events and guided tours, check out the Visit Issaquah Events Calendar. This is Issaquah’s OFFICIAL social calendar and new events are added almost daily! Use the heart icon or the Favorites Bar to add events and locations into your “heart cart,” just like shopping online. When you have finished browsing the events calendar and Things to Do pages, simply click the heart icon in the upper right corner of the desk top home page or see Manage Favorites under the Things to Do menu on mobile devices, to see your custom itinerary you created yourself! You can print to a PDF and save or share, or send to a printer and have your trip at your fingertips on paper.

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