Herman the Sturgeon is kind of a big deal in Oregon; a white sturgeon with a colorful history celebrating a birthday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 22. You are invited to join that celebration and toast it with “High Five, Herman” special summer IPA, courtesy of and available at Ferment Brewing Company’s tasting room in Hood River. 

Herman’s story includes trips between the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife’s (ODFW) Roaring River Fish Hatchery near Scio and the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem. Beginning in the 1930’s and up until the 1980’s, one Herman or another was a mainstay at the State Fair’s Animal Village exhibit. Life on the road is hard on a fish so ODFW stopped trucking Herman places and started planning for a permanent home. 

To provide Herman with a safe and healthier environment, a campaign was launched in 1997 to build him a suitable habitat at Bonneville Fish Hatchery in the Columbia River Gorge. In partnership with ODFW, the Oregon Wildlife Foundation (OWF) raised the funding needed, more than $350,000, to construct the Sturgeon Viewing and Interpretive Center at Bonneville Fish Hatchery. Dedicated on Sept. 27, 1998, the Center is one of Oregon’s top visitor attractions. 

The Center has served its purpose and mission for over 27 years. However, prolonged exposure to Columbia River Gorge weather has taken a toll on the building, and the interpretive signage within it needs to better speak to a present-day audience.

The Foundation is currently working with ODFW on a development plan for the hatchery, including needed repairs, improvements, and updates to the Interpretive Center’s signage.

If you would like to help us in our efforts, tax-deductible donations can be made using the following form https://secure.givelively.org/donate/oregon-wildlife-foundation/sturgeon-interpretive-center