Feather River Fish Hatchery ladder opens Sept. 15 for fall Chinook

The Feather River Fish Hatchery in Oroville is about to open the gate for fall Chinook. CDFW’s September 2026 calendar lists the fish ladder opening on Sept. 15 at 5 Table Mountain Blvd. Spawning is expected to start the week after and run through roughly mid-November.

That matters for river anglers watching the Sacramento system rebound and for anyone who wants to see hatchery fish up close. CDFW also flags a free Dive Into Salmon & Steelhead public tour at Nimbus Fish Hatchery on Sept. 12 (11 a.m.–noon) and the Oroville Salmon Festival on Sept. 26 (9 a.m.–3 p.m.) at the Feather River hatchery and downtown Oroville, with spawning tours and education booths.

Hatchery hours and festival details can shift — call 530-538-2222 or check the Feather River Fish Hatchery page before you drive.

Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (public domain via Wikimedia Commons).

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: CDFW, September 2026 Calendar (Feather River Fish Hatchery Ladder Opening; Oroville Salmon Festival).