*Hip Trip* to the Willamette Fish Hatchery in Oakridge, Oregon

One of the Most Beautiful and Unique Hatcheries in Oregon

This map is carved from one large tree slab. Oakridge had a logging boom that ended before 2000.

The Willamette Fish Hatchery is one of the most beautiful hatcheries in Oregon. The original salmon hatchery opened in 1911 due to the loss of spawning on the Willamette River. In 1922, a trout hatchery was established to help increase the amount and size of the rainbow trout. In 1983, both hatcheries merged and officially became the Willamette Fish Hatchery.

One trait that makes salmon unique is that they can swim in fresh or salt water. Salmon are born and grow in fresh water. Once strong enough, they head to the ocean for two to three years. Once it is time to spawn, they swim upstream. The female lays her eggs in the gravel in the creek, the male deposits sperm, and hopefully, they all hatch.

There are over one dozen wood carvings. Be sure to look up and down because they are hidden in plain sight. Take a picture of each one, or make a list.

Bring Quarters

Bring a picnic lunch, and you can easily spend the whole day at the park. Start at the free museum, where you can read about the Native Americans who lived here. There is a large fish tank and many local taxidermy animals. Bring quarters to feed the trout, and check out the live sturgeon — they are over 5 feet long. All the sturgeon are male and between 20 and 50 years old.

Our Little Museum is Free. This display of ‘repurposed animals’ (taxidermy) shows local species like raccoons, bears, beavers, and more.

There are upland game bird pens that house local birds like turkeys and pheasants; this display was built in 1994.

Next to the pens are a Native American and a totem pole, both sculpted by local artist Don Culp, who spent a lifetime creating a forest of wooden creatures, so be sure to look around every corner or on low roofs for lurking art.

Next to one of the large covered picnic areas is a free mini golf course, which highlights the life cycle of salmon.

old.

There are upland game bird pens that house local birds like turkeys and pheasants; this display was built in 1994. Next to the pens are a Native American and a totem pole both sculpted by local artist Don Culp spent a lifetime creating forest of wooden creatures, so be sure to look around every corner or on low roofs for lurking art.

Next to one of the large covered picnic areas is a free mini golf course which highlights the life cycle of salmon.