Spius Creek Hatchery

On this page

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

About us

The Spius Creek Hatchery produces coho and chinook salmon, with eggs collected throughout the mid-Fraser River watershed. At the hatchery, up to six month of incubation (eggs and alevin) is followed by up to 14 months of rearing (fry and smolts). As juveniles, the salmon are released back into the rivers of their origin in the spring. They then migrate downstream to the Thompson River and then the Fraser River, heading towards Georgia Strait.

Visiting the hatchery

Directions

From Kamloops, drive south on Highway 5 (Coquihalla) to Merritt and take Highway 8 west to Spences Bridge and continue for about 20 minutes. Turn south on Sunshine Valley Road West (watch for a sign for the hatchery). Follow this road (staying right) for two kilometres and the entrance is on the right.

Tours

All tours are self-guided, but guided tours can be arranged in advance for large groups by contacting the hatchery. Tours take about one hour. Please obey all signs. The site is not wheelchair accessible. Public washrooms are located in the main hatchery building. Picnic tables are available.

Key activities

• Stock conservation
• Stock assessment
• Coded wire tagging

Local fishing and community involvement

• Freshwater: Region 3 - Thompson-Nicola
• Community Projects: Central Interior, Boston Bar to 100 Mile House

When can I see salmon?