Nimbus Fish Hatchery

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On our 1/4 mile trail walk we'll be able to see Salmon Spawning in the river, as well as an abundance of other wildlife throughout the year!

We hope to see you soon! - All of Us at the Nimbus Hatchery Visitor Center

In the middle of the center, you'll find our mural wall of California. Here, we'll learn about the Salmon Life Cycle and waterways the Salmon will have to journey through!

Fall is a special time for us here at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery. This is when Adult Salmon are swimming from the Pacific Ocean back to American River to spawn!

The Raceways are located just near the parking lot. Here you can feed young Salmon and young Steelhead depending on the time of year that you visit.

Here you can listen to Steelhead Trout and Chinook Salmon as they describe their journey from the ocean to the river.

As you walk into the Visitor Center, the first display you will see is our giant fishy family.

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Eggs will be placed into "Hatching Boxes" and will eventually develop into Alevin and then Fry. Once the Salmon have developed into Fry, they will be placed in the raceways outside.

Sometimes Salmon are born with different color variations. Although most Fry look like me!

After the Fry stage, Salmon will begin to make their way out to the Pacific Ocean where they will eat as much as they can until it is time to return to the river and spawn.

Many Salmon will spawn naturally in the American River, but some will journey up the Fish Ladder and into the hatchery where staff can help them with the process.

First Stop: The Visitor Center

Salmon begin as small eggs. We can see eyes developing at about 26 days, then they will gradually grow into Alevin at about 50 days, and Fry when they are about 85 days old.

Third Stop: The American River Trail

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