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Coleman National Fish Hatchery - Site # 58
Coleman National Fish Hatchery was constructed in 1942. The facility provides visitors an opportunity to view the magnificent salmon and steelhead that live in the Sacramento River system and provides an opportunity learn about the life cycle of salmon and steelhead.
Background:	Whether you fish for them, enjoy eating them or are just curious about the lives of salmon and steelhead, a visit to this famous Central Valley hatchery is a must. While some salmon and steelhead still spawn naturally in Battle Creek, most use the fish ladder and are spawned at the hatchery. Paved walkways to the fish ladder and holding ponds are universally accessible. A viewing area in the Spawning House overlooks spawning activities. The Incubation House includes incubation trays and tanks for juvenile fish. More than 15,000 adult salmon and steelhead return to the hatchery each year. About 14 million fish are reared at the hatchery, then released in the upper Sacramento River watershed.
The Experience:	Oak woodland savanna (50%) with riparian corridor along Battle Creek The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Coleman National Fish Hatchery is located on Battle Creek near the town of Anderson. The hatchery was constructed in 1942 to partially make up for impacts to salmon and steelhead populations caused by the construction of Shasta and Keswick dams. The construction of those dams eliminated almost 200 miles of salmon and steelhead habitat. Coleman NFH is one of the largest hatcheries in the National Fish Hatchery System and in the entire United States. Coleman National Fish Hatchery currently rears and releases approximately 12 million fall Chinook salmon smolts, 1 million late-fall Chinook salmon smolts, and 600,000 steelhead smolts annually. A satellite facility at the base of Shasta Dam (Livingston Stone NFH), also rears and releases up to 250,000 endangered winter Chinook salmon juveniles. Following releases from the hatchery, juveniles migrate down the Sacramento River to the ocean where they will remain from one to three years. While in the ocean, adult salmon greatly contribute to the economically important ocean sport and commercial fishery. As salmon and steelhead adults begin to mature they will leave the ocean and reenter the Sacramento River. Here they contribute to the Sacramento River sport fishery or, continuing their journey, return to Coleman NFH hatchery where they themselves are then spawned. This contributes to the conservation of the species as this creates the next generation, and thus begins a new cycle.
Wildlife and Where to Find It:	paved access to incubation building, rearing ponds, and adult holding ponds. Currently and gravel walkway to view the creek
Viewing Tips:	Peak salmon viewing is from early-October to early-November during the fall Chinook salmon spawning season. Steelhead spawning can be observed during late-December through February. Self-Guided tours only.
Site Notes:	In the fall, visitors are treated to the site of 1,000s of returning salmon at the hatchery and in Battle Creek--no other area in Northern California offers this opportunity. At certain times of the year, visitors can also view incubating eggs and newly hatched salmon and steehead fry. Visitor can view juvenile salmon and steehead in rearing ponds at any time of the year.
Nearby Viewing Sites:	Battle Creek Bridge and Battle Creek Wildlife Area Turtle Bay Museum in Redding
Festivals & Events:	Coleman Return of the Salmon Festival - third Saturday of October. The annual festival has been celebrated at the hatchery since 1991 in an effort to increase outreach and visitor use. Attractions include: viewing the salmon spawning operations, the salmon aquarium, informational booths, recreational displays, children's activities and much more.
Visitor Information:	Shasta Cascade Wonderland Assn -- California Welcome Center - 530-365-7500 - http://tinyurl.com/h5wd7zb
Viewing Site Hours of Operation are:
Staff On-site:	Yes
Open:	Everday
Hours:	7:30am to dusk
Year Round:	Yes
Road Information:	Paved.
	Roads available year-round.
	Road Hazards: narrow with some tight corners
	Number of Parking Spaces: 58
	Parking Fee: No
	Proximity to viewing area:200 yards
	Pull-Through Parking: Yes
	Parking Notes:
Special Tips:	California Welcome Center, Anderson is open daily, 9am to 5pm. Visit Redding - www.VisitRedding.com also provides regional information
How to Get There:	From Cottonwood and Interstate 5, take the Main Street exit. Turn right on Front Street (Balls Ferry Road) and drive 4.4 miles. Turn right on Ash Creek Road and proceed 1.2 miles to Gover Road. Turn right and drive 1.2 miles to Coleman Fish Hatchery Road. Turn left and continue 2 miles to hatchery. From Anderson and Interstate 5, take the Deschutes Road exit. Turn left (east) onto Deschutes Road and drive 2 miles. Turn right on Ball's Ferry Road and travel 3 miles to Ash Creek Road. Turn left and drive 1 mile to Gover Road. Turn right and drive 1.2 miles to Coleman Fish Hatchery Road. Turn left and drive 2 miles to hatchery.
Contact Information
Managing Agency:	US Fish & Wildlife Service
Agency Site URL:
Physical Address:	24411 Coleman Fish Hatchery Road Anderson, CA 96007	Agency 2:	24411 Coleman Fish Hatchery Road Anderson, CA 96007
Manager Phone:	530-365-8622	Contact Us:	by Email
Site Phone:	(916) 365-8622
County:	Shasta
Addition Website:	https://www.fws.gov/coleman/