Salmonid Interpretation Centre — Attraction in Newfoundland and Labrador

We were visiting Newfoundland and decided to make a trip to the Salmonid Interpretation Centre while en route to Bonavista. We were looking forward to seeing a salmon fish ladder at the dam and learn more about how and why the fish ladder works in helping salmon get up and over the dam. Upon arrival, after paying $9.50/adult to enter the Interpretation Site (an overpriced amount for what you get), we were quickly disappointed. It became quickly apparent that what used to be a must see facility is now being run to the ground and/or prioritizing business elsewhere (maybe the restaurant they have on site?). For example, the upper floor of the museum did little by way of engaging the visitor let alone explaining why the salmon come through the Exploits River, why the dam contributed to their original decline in numbers, and why and how the fish ladder works to address that. The lower level does allow you to look at the salmon passing through the fish ladder, but not much else. According to their website, the lower level used to host aquariums with Brook Trout, Sticklebacks, and live toads; now it hosts nothing more but empty aquariums. Yes, it was neat to see the salmon jumping up the ladder, but given that that was all there was to see at this Interpretation Site, it was not worth the $9.50/adult we paid. What also raised some questions was the restaurant that was located at the site; a restaurant that served salmon. Is this the same salmon that are going up the ladder that the site is supposed to be conserving? Or is this the salmon that died along the way? Either way, seems a bit odd to be at a site that is claiming to be driven by salmon conservation, meanwhile serving salmon to...

This was another of our unexpected stops and we found it informative and interesting. I had no idea that the fishery in the Atlantic provinces extended to freshwater fish as well! I suppose it only makes sense but Newfoundland and Labrador has quite an extensive network of freshwater fishing places. The landscape certainly lends to that. This exhibit is interesting because it is a fantastic example of a successful (both for the humans and the environment and its wildlife) expansion of spawning grounds for salmon of the river system.

The interpretation centre is part of the project and serves also to provide education to the public about the project and the fish and environment. We did not go quite at the right season to see salmon jumping up river but learned a lot about the impressive project and the benefits it has been providing.

If you’re interested in resource management, ecology or simply the fish, this is a great stop for you. The views to get there are amazing over the bridge and the surrounding area and walking trail too. It is a little tricky to find but your GPS is probably not wrong leading you on some...

our family went there today, sept.1/2019. We told the server that we would be sitting outside, so we then waited 45 mins, never seen the server, so we then went and put 2 tables together and sat inside. waited another 30mins to get menu's. once ordering we waited an hour and fifteen minutes for our food, then wait another 15mins for utensils. the food wasn't even close to satisfactory, most of the food was returned and the server said she couldnt even believe it was allowed to leave the kitchen. we were given the excuse that someone called in sick and that some appliances were malfunctioning. spoke to some people in the area and it turns out apparently thats the usual excuse. safe to say you lost...