Why Every Angler Should Visit a Fish Hatchery + Bonneville Dam Tour

We visited one of the coolest fish hatcheries in the Pacific Northwest — and it blew our minds.

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, we stop by the Bonneville Fish Hatchery & Dam in Oregon and get an up-close look at salmon recovery in action.

We meet Herman, a 10-foot-long sturgeon, explore the fish ladders, and even go behind the scenes at the hydroelectric plant.

You’ll learn:
- Why hatcheries are vital for salmon populations
- How millions of Chinook, Coho, and steelhead are raised
- What spawning season really looks like
- The best hatcheries to visit in WA & OR
- When to go for peak salmon action

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????️ Salmon School is happening this Friday July 11th — grab your ticket before it’s too late: https://anglersunlimited.co/2025-salmon-school-workshop

#FishingForAReason #SalmonSchool #FishHatcheryTour #BonnevilleDam #PNWAdventures

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome & episode intro
01:00 – Why visit fish hatcheries?
02:30 – Wallace River Hatchery highlights
03:20 – Bonneville overview + location
03:50 – Meet Herman the 10-foot sturgeon!
04:40 – Trout ponds & species raised
05:30 – Bonneville Dam turbine tour
06:20 – How the powerhouse generates electricity
07:00 – Viewing fish ladders up close
08:00 – Shad, lamprey, coho & Chinook
09:00 – Spawning process explained
10:00 – How hatchery staff sort and fertilize eggs
11:00 – Visiting local hatcheries near Anacortes
12:00 – Salmon School details – limited seats!

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