Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery

This User Rated

Was this tip helpful?

4.0 (1 member)

Report a Problem

Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery

A few miles downstream from Camp Sherman, the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery is also a must-see. Even if you’re not a fish culturist, the 35-acre wooded site, operated by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, is also a great spot for picnicking and bird-watching. Large open tanks contain fish fingerlings—rainbow and brook trout, Kokanee and Atlantic salmon—that are raised here before being released into the wild. A separate larger pond is home to some real whoppers that you can watch swim in the shallows. Other than the occasional eagle or raccoon snatching its next meal, the pond and tanks are meant for viewing and not for fishing. Keep a few quarters in your pocket to purchase a handful of pellet fish food from the convenient dispensers. Toss the morsels into the holding tanks and watch lightening-fast fish compete for a snack. It’s great entertainment for just twenty-five cents! And don’t forget your binoculars for spotting resident white-headed woodpeckers, red-napped sapsuckers, and pygmy nuthatches. But not to worry if you don’t know your Turdus migratorius (American robin) from your Contopus sordidulus (western wood peewee), you will recognize the plentiful resident Canada geese.

Keywords: Scenic, Free, Interesting, All year, Park (Local / State / National), Everyone