Nimbus Fish Hatchery

05/20/2026

Join us this weekend at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery before the Visitor Center closes for the summer! We will spend some time identifying wildflowers and pulling invasive yellow star thistle.
iNaturalist demo and native plant seed packets included! Sign up through the link in the comments.

05/14/2026

⚠️The Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, raceways (outdoor fish ponds), and parking lot will once again be temporarily closed to the public from May 26 through September 6, 2026.⚠️

During this time, hatchery staff will continue year-round operations to raise Chinook salmon, steelhead, and trout for the American River. The temporary closure allows staff to focus on essential hatchery operations and preparations for the busy fall spawning season.

The closure includes the Visitor Center, parking lot, raceways, tours, public events, and fish feeding activities.

We look forward to welcoming visitors back when the facility reopens on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026.

To learn more about the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and its programs, visit wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Hatcheries/Nimbus.

05/14/2026

Baby goats? 😍🐐We'll be there! Hope to see you, too!

Izzy's Animal Rescue Festival is officially just 4 days away on May 17th (from 10 AM to 4 PM) and we can’t wait to see everyone there!

Thank you so much for all the love and support leading up to the event. If you have any questions, comments, or are interested in volunteering, please feel free to comment below or send us a DM!

See you soon!

05/06/2026

Join us on May 30th at in Galt to celebrate World Fish Migration Day! From 9:00-1:00 you can enjoy nature walks, crafts, fly tying demonstrations, displays, and more! 🐟www.worldfishmigrationday.com

04/20/2026

Join us for at Nimbus Hatchery April 24th! 🌿🦋We'll show you how to use iNaturalist--an app that allows anyone with a smart device to take photos or record sounds of nature where they are--to discover what grows and lives along the river.

Each person can submit their observations to the iNaturalist database, where researchers compile information to help determine what species need protecting. 🤔Come on out April 24th at 10:30 am and help us contribute to the shared knowledge of nature around us. 🌏

04/10/2026

Join us at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery on April 24 at 10:30 AM to kick off the City Nature Challenge! 🎉Learn how to use iNaturalist and discover how many different kinds of plants and animals call the American River home. No prior experience or registration needed; this event is suitable for ages 12 and up.

By participating in the City Nature Challenge, we can connect with nature and each other. This is a global event organized by the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

Remember to bring water 🫗and dress for warm weather.🌞 See you there!

03/19/2026

📢The Visitor Center is CLOSED just for today, March 19th. 📢
The River Trail and the American River Trout Hatchery Raceways (located near the start of the trail, just downstream from the Visitor Center) are open, though!

03/12/2026

⏰Heads up! The Visitor Center will be CLOSED for the day on Thursday, March 19th.
The River Trail and the American River Trout Hatchery raceways (the fish ponds 🐟located just downstream from the Visitor Center) will still be open if you'd like to take a stroll or feed fish, but no restrooms will be available. 😬🚽

03/10/2026

Attention Teachers! Use the link in the comments to register for our new student webinar series - Go With the Flow: Explore Salmonids and Watershed Science!

Date/Time: March 18, 2026, 10:00 a.m. PST
The Amazing Life Cycle of Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Trout: Behind-the-Scenes at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery
Join California Department of Fish and Wildlife interpreters and scientists for a deep dive into aquatic ecosystems and fish during this fun webinar series designed for early elementary school aged students.

Students will enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery to learn about two incredible species of fish: Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. During this interactive lesson, students will explore the life cycle of these fish and the incredible adaptations that support them on their long migration from the Pacific Ocean up the American River every year!
Teachers and students are encouraged to come prepared with questions to ask the scientists during the Q&A portion of this live program. All programs will be recorded and posted to the program website: https://wildlife.ca.gov/CAEP/webinars
Spaces are limited. Register today to reserve a spot for your class using the link in the comments!

03/09/2026

Looking to get outside and make a positive impact for wildfire resilience? Join our Fellows Lauren and Justine for a BROOM BATTLE in Auburn! Sign up by clicking the image!

Working together to remove invasive broom plants growing on land cared for by the Placer Land Trust. If you are under 18, please bring a guardian with you!