Fish Eggs to Fry
Fall salmon season is in full swing!
147 classrooms are participating in fall 2022 in the greater Portland-Metro region!
View photos from Egg Delivery Day (2022)
Chehalem photos from Fry Release Day (2022)
Powell Butte photos from Fry Release Day (2022)
View photos from Egg Delivery Day (2021)
Watch ODFW's Livestream and see their Daily Egg Development Progress,
and check out the most recent videos on Youtube!
Learn how Fish Eggs to Fry is Zooming into Virtual Classrooms
Check out 2021 program highlights: Delivering Schools of Salmon
Raising Salmon Stewards in the Classroom
Through Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP), Fish Eggs to Fry brings salmon or trout eggs into 700+ Oregon classrooms for students to observe and raise, while learning about one of our state’s most significant keystone species. The Association of Northwest Steelheaders coordinate with ODFW to assist with setting up aquarium equipment, delivering eggs to classrooms, and introducing students to the importance of fish conservation.
Across the Portland metro region, students of all grade levels transform into scientists in their own classroom laboratories. Students and educators foster the development of the fish from eggs to fry, perform water quality tests, and incorporate salmon into their science, math, social studies, and even art curriculum.
Throughout this process, the children develop a personal relationship to salmon species, sparking a lifelong investment in wildlife conservation.
Northwest Steelheaders owns more than 100 of the aquariums and chillers used by local classrooms in the Portland-Metro area, and support teachers further by providing curricular resources, classroom presentations, technical support, and assistance with fry release day events in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation through Eco-Schools USA. Watch the Rearing Salmon and Eco-School Stewards video below to learn more about Fish Eggs to Fry in Oregon.
Please see a list of educational resources at the bottom of this page.
Seasonal Schedule
Interested in Bringing Fish Eggs to Fry to Your Classroom?
If you are interested in starting the Fish Eggs to Fry program at your school, begin by reading the information on ODFW’s website and contacting your region’s STEP Biologist. ODFW will be able to provide the most accurate information regarding equipment and the project timeline. The Association of Northwest Steelheaders does not currently provide schools with aquarium equipment, so the best way to get started is to contact ODFW and purchase your own equipment.
For questions regarding the Steelheader’s involvement with the program, contact our Education and Outreach Coordinator at ORHabitat@nwf.org or Morgan Parks, NWF Oregon Education Manager, at parksm@nwf.org
Subscribe to the NWF Oregon Newsletter
Earn an Eco-Schools USA Award for your School!
The Association of Northwest Steelheaders, in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), is here to help classrooms in the Portland-Metro region expand their involvement in the Fish Eggs to Fry program. Learn more about this unique Salmon Stewards partnership in Oregon.
If you are a new or current Fish Eggs to Fry educator, your school can earn an Eco-Schools USA award for the WOW (Watersheds, Oceans, and Wetlands) pathway by participating in the Eco-Schools Salmon Stewards program! This Audit and Action Plan provides a framework for Fish Eggs to Fry activities, engages the school community, and recognizes students for their commitment to local fish and wildlife. In addition, the accompanying Appendix of Resources provides curriculum resources, field trip locations, funding resources, and more. Both documents are available as a PDF or Word document (at request). Schools working on the Audit and Action Plan may inquire about the following support: hands-on classroom presentations, assistance with release day events, step-by-step guidance, and other resources.
Contact our Education and Outreach Coordinator at ORHabitat@nwf.org or Morgan Parks, parksm@nwf.org, for more information.
THANK YOU to our 2021-2022 funders NOAA Bay Watershed and Education Training (B-WET) and the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde through the Spirit Mountain Community Fund!
Additional Resources
ODFW Resources
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s STEP Education Resources
- Fish Eggs to Fry Program Overview Video
- Fish Eggs to Fry Volunteer Guide
- Fish Dissection
- Watershed Process
- Salmon Watch 2020 Introduction
- Salmon Watch 2020 Fish Biology
- Salmon Watch 2020 Water Quality
- Salmon Watch 2020 Riparian Habitat
- Salmon Watch 2020 Macroinvertebrates
- Educator’s Resource Guide for Hatching Salmon and Trout in the Classroom
Aquarium Set-up
- ODFW Fish Eggs to Fry Manual (newer version, v.2020)
- ODFW Fish Eggs to Fry Manual (older version v.2000)
- Quick Tips and Lessons Learned
- Classroom Aquarium Directions
- Standard Aquarium Classroom Set-Up Video
- Common Aquarium in Portland Area Set-Up Video
- Aquarium Set-Up with Wine Cooler Video
- Aquarium Care and Maintenance Video
Curriculum & Distance Learning Resources
- World Salmon Council – Salmon Watch Streaming (videos, virtual tours, activities)
- World Salmon Council – Salmon Watch Curriculum
- Oregon Dept. of Education - Tribal History/Shared History
- NOAA - Incredible Journey Series
- NOAA - Find a Species
- NMSF and PNCA - Life Cycle of the Pacific Salmon: 5-minute animation
- OPB PBS - Salmon Life Cycle Lesson Plans and Media
- Nature Vision Cascade Water Alliance - Remote Learning Student Packets
- Children's Clean Water Festival - List of Various Online Resources
- Environmental Learning Center (CCC) - K-12 Education (Virtual Field Trips, Livestream, Explorer Kits)
- Estuary Partnership - Watershed Unit Distance Learning Links
- ODFW - Types of Salmon
- USFWS - Pacific Salmon and Steelhead Coloring Book
- USFWS - Pacific Lamprey Experience
- Environmental Science Center-Virtual Salmon Heroes
- Salmon in the Schools - Seattle
Salmon Anatomy Resources
- Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game - Salmon Dissection (Internal and External Anatomy)
- OSU/ODFW/USFWS Klamath Basin - Salmonid Anatomy and Dissection Handbook
Delivery and Release Day
- Classroom Egg Delivery Example Video
- Release Day Tips
- Classroom Fry Release Example Video
National Wildlife Federation Resources
- Eco-Schools USA website
- Audit and Action Plan (Instructions, Steps for Earning Award, Worksheets)
- Appendix of Resources (Field Trips, Equipment, Curriculum, Temperature Units)
- How to Calculate Hatch & Release Dates - Temperature Units (from Eco-Schools Audit and Appendix)
- Eco-Schools USA - Watersheds, Oceans, and Wetlands (WOW) Pathway Resources
Resource Library
- Download Google Folder of Docs
Classroom Activities
- Craft Activity - Schooled on Salmon
- Salmon Life Cycle Origami Chatterbox
- Interactive Water Pollution Simulation - Fred the Fish
- Craft Activity - Fish Prints
- Craft Activity - Wildlife Salt Painting
- Eco-Schools USA Virtual Classroom Resources
Virtual Field Trips
- Salmon Migration Interactive Storymap
- ONREP Virtual Field Trips and Tours Google Doc
- Monterey Bay - STEP to the Sea Virtual Field Trips
- ODFW - Clackamas Hatchery Tour with STEP Biologist
- Eagle Creek National Fish Hatchery - Take a Virtual Tour
Watershed Stewardship and Sustainability
- SOLVE - Growing a Greener Generation Program
- Oregon Green Schools - Certification Tracks
- NOAA Sea Stewards Handbook
- NOAA Planet Stewards