nimbus dam and fish hatchery

johnwP9095WU

Not only can you watch the salmon swim upstream, and jump up the fish ladder, you get to watch the fishermen fight with each other as they stand shoulder to shoulder trying to snag a fish. The real fun is walking around the hatchery where you get to see everything from them taking the roe and milk, to the smallest fish and you can even feed them. It was very interesting and everything was explained in a fashion that even my 10 year old could understand it.

smmdakota

Learn about salmon and steelhead in the small, but informative visitor center then go outside to see the young fish in the holding tanks. You can feed them, too. During the fall you can see the salmon climb the ladders to come in to spawn and in January you can see the steelhead "squeezed' for eggs then released. There is a TV screen showing a short educational video as well. Clean bathrooms, tables for a picnic lunch, and a huge salmon you can climb on and go inside. We went with two elementary students and three college kids who all enjoyed the trip!

988karync

I remember one year volunteering at something called Salmon Festival! It was at this Fish Hatchery! Amazing to watch the salmon to try go up the ladders to spawn! It may be struggle for them, no wonder after they mate, reproduce, they die! That October, there were bands, information about salmon, food to eat! I one point looking in a jar of the salmon eggs, thought someone trying take picture of his children, so of politeness try get out the way! He says, "Before you leave, I am with Sacramento newspaper," asks to take my picture! Told him what I thought, how trying get out the way, he understood! This was nice place to learn about salmon! Did you know they always somehow find their way back to where they were born/hatched, that where they spawn? Wow!

569milesr

It is about the time Salmon will be "spawning' during November and a must to see. Go all the way to the fish hatchery at the dam. Lots of parking space. Take time to go through the hatchery. Go on the drive up Gold River Blvd to the dam and enjoy the fall leaves.

PeaboJones

It might not be all that exciting for most adults but it is a place you can take kids to learn and have fun too. It is 90% outdoors so dress accordingly and bring change for the fish food machines (a must!). Also try to time your visit during the salmon hatching season so you can see the fish climb the ladder and maybe even watch workers havest the eggs.

569juliaa

The calm waters were ideal for stand up paddling! Kudos to the staff at the Aquatic Center for their fast and courteous service. Our first visit and surely not the last!

Sac-Muc

The dam is not an impressive building, but very important for the city of Sacramento and the surrounding area. The nature around the lake is nicely.

TreciaT

During the Salmon run it is great to watch the fish come up the fish ladder to spawn. A wonderful guided nature river walk talks about the area around the the fish hatchery.

CaillouH

The Nimbus Dam is a great place for boating, relaxing, whatever. Take some time to visit the nearby California Department of Fish and Wildlife's salmon hatchery, and see how they grow the little fishies before dropping them into the river. CDFW has a little visitor's center, too. The hatchery is free to visitors.

Number1Duno

Great place to bring kids. There's a hatchery across the street, and a great bike/pedestrian trail, that takes you around Natomas Lake. Bring your bikes, or settle in for a good long walk, if you want to do the whole trail. There has been a speed limit set up on the trail, because too many competition riders were hitting pedestrians. So it is much safer than it once was.

SteveinCH

The Nimbus Hatchery is great fun for kids. You can feed the trout and salmon ($.25 from vending machines). During the winter, the salmon are running and you can watch them climb the ladders to the processing area where the fish & game staff take the eggs. They have a great visitors center designed to be interesting for kids as well as adults. There is also a nice trail with information signs and a great view of the river. It's especially fun to visit in November-December when there are lots of salmon in the river and the ladders.

SitiN454

My husband & I were on our way to Lake Tahoe when we saw this dam and saw a couple of people kayaking.. Without hesitation, we went and did an hour of tandem kayak!! We had so much fun and there were geese too!! A calm & beautiful sight!!

CoolCathy95614

During the spring and fall salmon run it is an extrodinary experience. The natural drive that send the fish to their fate to ensure the species is incredible. Close up, first hand interaction with the process

LoveToTravel32389

Fun to watch the salmon in the ladder. Kids will be amazed at seeing them in person (ok - adults too). Great to do on sunny fall day. It is mostly outside, so dress appropriately

cjsf14

I don't think I knew that this existed until I went on a field trip for my son. Nice guided tour of the outdoors and facilities. Able to see salmon spawning and swimming. The kids were able to interact with educational areas. They also watched a video on the fish and were able to feed the baby fish. The kids loved it.