Puntledge River Hatchery

On this page

• About us
• Visiting the hatchery
• Key activities
• Local fishing and community involvement
• When can I see salmon?

About us

The Puntledge River was once renowned by sports fishermen for its two vigorous races of chinook salmon. The Puntledge River Hatchery boasted both summer and fall runs of these majestic salmon as well as significant numbers of other salmon species and steelhead trout. The hatchery was constructed to save these chinook from extinction and to rebuild other species to healthy levels. Most recently, strong Puntledge River chum returns have attracted large numbers of recreational fishers from across Vancouver Island.

Visiting the hatchery

Directions

From the Inland Island Highway, take the Courtenay Cumberland exit and turn east to Courtenay. At the traffic lights for Cumberland Road, turn left and then take the first left at Marsden Road. Turn right on Lake Trail Road, and left on Powerhouse Road. From the City of Courtenay, travel up Fifth Street, then turn right onto Menzies Avenue. Continue past Puntledge Park on First Street, then turn right onto Powerhouse Road.

Tours

Self-guided tours are available throughout the site. There are informative signs and displays to guide viewers as well as an underwater viewing area. There are no fish on site from mid-June to mid-September.

Key activities

• Stock conservation
• Fish production to support sustainable fisheries
• Stock assessment
• Coded wire tagging
• Indigenous partnerships
• External partnerships
• Water management
• Lake productivity monitoring
• Stewardship and education

Local fishing and community involvement

• Freshwater: Region 1 - Vancouver Island
• Tidal Waters: Areas 14 (Comox/Parksville/Denman and Hornby Islands)
• Community Projects: Central portion, east coast of Vancouver Island and adjacent mainland inlets

When can I see salmon?