Capilano Fish Hatchery

Description

Designed to restore the dwindling stocks of Coho salmon and Steelhead trout, this hatchery produces over 1 million Coho, up to 2.5 million Chinook and 10,000-20,000 Steelhead every year. The salmon hatchery has extensive educational displays covering many aspects of the salmon life cycle and the functioning of the hatchery.

The hatchery teems with piscicultural activity year-round. The best part about it is that visitors get to spy on the fry through glass walls that surround their tanks. It’s like a giant aquarium set in a rock canyon.

Cost

Free

Getting There

There are several entrances in North Vancouver to Capilano River Regional Park, all within a short distance of each other. If you are travelling on Hwy 1, take the Capilano Rd N exit (exit 14) to reach the park. Capilano Road can also be reached from Marine Drive in North Vancouver, a short distance east of the Lions Gate Bridge. Four parking lots are located near the fish hatchery in Capilano River Regional Park; another is at the picnic site beside Cleveland Dam.

You can also catch the Grouse Mountain (#236) bus from North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Quay, which stops at the fish hatchery and Cleveland Dam. Call TransLink, (604) 953-3333, to check times on bus routes. For a map of the 16 miles (26 km) of hiking trails in Capilano River Regional Park, call GVRD Parks’s West Office, (604) 224-5739.

To get there take Highway 1 and exit off the Capilano/Grouse Mountain exit 9 (exit 14) and drive north along Capilano Road about 1.5 km to the fish hatchery turnoff, or continue on Capilano Road for another kilometre to the Cleveland Dam parking lot. For more information call (604) 432-6350.

In general, parks are open during daylight hours. Gates are closed and locked outside of the opening and closing times posted at most park entrances; earliest closing is 5 pm. If you require specific information regarding the opening or closing times of a park or gate, please contact the Area Office during regular hours.