Capilano Salmon Hatchery

The Capilano Salmon Hatchery is a fish farm that was established in 1971 to save the strongly declining salmon stocks in the Capilano River, which was then threatened by the construction of the Cleveland Dam. Today, the hatchery not only breeds Coho Salmon and Steelhead Trout, but has also introduced Chinook salmon into the system to provide for the ceremonial as well as food fishery of the Squamish First Nation. The facility is also open to the public and invites people to learn more about Canada’s most popular fish. 
Visitors are guided around the hatchery largely via a self-guided tour and witness the fascinating and tragic life cycle of the salmon, beginning with their development from eggs to their release into the river in spring and their heroic efforts as adults to reach their spawning grounds upriver, after which they promptly die. Displays and exhibits explain the whole fascinating process as well as inform about the hatchery’s operations. One of the most exciting parts of the trail is the Fishway, an active fish ladder where at the right time of year, huge numbers of salmon can be observed through conveniently located glass windows as they are jumping and struggling up the steps. Therefore, depending on the time of year you decide to visit, you will be able to see the migrating salmon and trout, juveniles in the display aquariums or their release back into the river.

Practical Info

Admission to the Capilano Salmon Hatchery is completely free and the fish farm can be visited every day of the year. The hatchery is located just a bit north of the Capilano Suspension Bridge in the Capilano River Regional Park. The best time of year to see the migrating salmons is late August through November, as well as during the annual fish releases in spring.