Willamette Fish Hatchery and Museum

Willamette Fish Hatchery by Sally McAleer

This uniquely special fish hatchery is a worthy destination in Oakridge. One of 30 fish hatcheries managed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Willamette Fish Hatchery offers extensive amenities not typically found at most fish hatcheries – from bird exhibits to miniature golf!

First and foremost, this is a working hatchery for the spawning, egg incubation and rearing of both rainbow trout and spring chinook salmon. The Willamette Fish Hatchery program was designed to replenish fish populations impacted by the operation of Hills Creek, Lookout Point, Dexter and Fall Creek Dams. On-site there are ten trout ponds and forty salmon ponds which produce millions of fish. These fish are released annually into the Willamette River and its tributaries for the benefit of anglers. The hatchery itself is on the banks of Salmon Creek and downstream, as you might imagine, is an excellent place to fish!

Viewing & Picnic Facilities

Visitors can view and feed sturgeon and brood rainbow trout in ponds located near the museum. These fish are for display only, with some of the sturgeon up to 50 years old and measure up to ten feet in length!

There is a large covered picnic pavilion area and restrooms.

Interpretive Exhibits & Education

The original hatchery building was converted to a museum in 1997. Here you can learn about the fish hatchery practices and Oregon’s native fish and wildlife. There is also a separate display of upland game birds and an educational miniature golf course. Play for free as you move your ball (representing a school of fish) along its life cycle.