the solomon gulch hatchery

847robertv

We we're thrilled to see all the fish trying to get back to where they were spawned. Around dusk the bears would show up to feast and in the day time the anglers were trying to catch the salmon before the bears got them...

sprung51

We spent about 2 1/2 hours there one afternoon and got some close up videos of the wildlife, including a large brown bear that was chowing down on the salmon. We were within 50 feet of this large bear who did not like the seagulls picking over the scraps. Many thousands of salmon to see. You are near the large pipeline tanks here, with a beautiful view of Valdez. Take a picnic or a fishing rod. There are restrictions of how close you can fish to the hatchery.

AK_Tarah

It smelled horrible but it was so cool to see that many fish. Haven't taken any tour (not sure if there is one) but you can park next to it and see all of the fish. Good place to spot bears and eagles. We saw a sea lion while we were there.

Fredsaub

It is fun to see all the salmon and sea otters too. It cost us nothing. It is outside, and very brief.

AmmoGeek

The smell coming from the water in that area (waterfall feed is right there) is horrid. I couldn't get to the hatchery across the water (water had me gagging), but my friend went over & came back quite impressed with the fish at this location. (He fishes so had more interest that I did too.)

Aaron_Huang2014

It is awesome to see so many salmon and birds. It locates behind a factory, not hard to find.

Rav4England

Maybe we were just unlucky, we were there at 10 in the morning when unfortunately the tide was out so we didn't see anything other than salmon in the fish pens. There were dead fish lying around with seagulls feeding but nothing else to be seen. If you go check the tide time beforehand & you may have better luck!

Johnnie1945

So interesting to watch the fish as they try to go up the fish ladder to the hatchery. It was sad but a part of nature to watch the seals,sea lions, sea gulls, bears and lit's not forget the people catching them to eat.

PattiDi

Must go check it out while there and along the road you just might see a Bear or Two hanging around which is pretty neat, Just remember to respect nature

iritv

We enjoyed much seeing the Salmons coming to spawn, the seals and sea lions coming to eat them, the otters playing around them... And many people coming to see.What a view. Great!!!

456melf

This hatchery sits on the south side of Valdez near the terminal of the oil pipeline. In August the pink and some silver salmon return to spawn in the creek. In August there were wall to wall pink and chum salmon returning to spawn and scores of seals, sea lions, gulls, eagles and bears are there to feast on the salmon. The strongest of the lot traverse the fish ladders and raceways and return to the hatchery to begin the following year's salmon rearing cycle. A must see in late summer.

Giselle1106

Since the salmon were running they were the attraction for seals, sea lions, otters, bears, and many, many eagles. I succeeded in getting a number of great eagle pictures.

185ChrisS

Only managed to find out about this from Milepost not in usual guide books. Lovely setting and watching the salmon gathering together and heading up waterway to spawn was great but what made it excellent were the seals in the harbour and the 2 adult and 1 juvenile bald eagles also there for the fishing! Definitely worth taking the time to drive down to.

9Z4MAN

We saw pink salmon spawning, a bear, and lots of birds including eagles! People were fishing near there.

Tbasler

We watched as the salmon struggled and fought to get to the fish ladder and then fought going up stream. Only to be sliced open, the eggs taken and left to die and become dog food. It's very sad. But it is nature at work and very interesting to see. We went back three times hoping to see a bear but didn't. Lots of seagulls and seals having good meals though.