Salmon-Viewing Kayak Tours on the Feather River Have SOLD OUT
UPDATE: All tours have been sold out!
With the Chinook salmon once again returning to the Feather River Hatchery this fall, the Forebay Aquatic Center in Oroville will once again offer salmon-viewing kayak tours during upcoming weekends in September and October.
Following the cancellation of the Oroville Salmon Festival due to Covid-19 in 2020, the first-ever salmon viewing kayak tours were offered on the Feather River in the fall of that year. The tours were so popular, that the Forebay Aquatic Center announced it will continue them in 2021, with the tours occurring for the next four Saturdays in October (2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd). The tours will start at the Feather River Hatchery and will take place at 10 am to noon and 1 to 3 pm.
On the tour, kayakers will be able to see the salmon in action as they make their way into the hatchery system for spawning, a crucial practice to help improve salmon populations throughout Northern California.
The cost is $45, with kayaks and life-preservers provided for anyone who needs them. For more information and to register for the event, go here.
The Feather River Fish Hatchery raises Chinook salmon and steelhead along the Feather River, just below Lake Oroville. The hatchery is wonderful place to learn about the salmon spawning process and includes an underwater window to see the hatchery displays and a viewing area of the fish ladder. Each fall, the hatchery harvests over 15 million salmon eggs.
Here are the vitals of the tours:
Trip Dates
- Every Saturday from September 25 through October 23 – dates are filling up fast, so reserve your spot now!
Trip Times
- Morning Tour: 10am-Noon (arrive at 9:30am)
- Afternoon Tour: 1pm-3pm (arrive at 12:30pm)
Additional Details
- Trips begin under the Green Bridge at the Feather River Fish Hatchery
- Trips end the boat launch in Riverbend Park
What’s Provided
- Single and Double Kayaks as available
- Guides, Lifejackets, Kayaks, Paddles and Safety/First Aid Equipment
- Basic and Short Kayak Skill Introduction
- Sanitizing of all boats and equipment
- Shuttle Bus back to the Hatchery / Following COVID CDC rules / Masks required on Bus
What to Bring
- Shorts and shirt – clothing and shoes will get wet
- Warm Clothes to change into (No Jeans or Cotton Pants on the River)
- Water Shoes or solid sandals for Water and Shore Travel (No Bare Feet)
- Lip Protection / Sun protection / Binoculars / Camera
