Capilano Fish Hatchery is a practical, fascinating stop below Cleveland Dam, where you can watch salmon moving through fish ladders and learn how hatchery work supports local runs. It is free, compact, and set in the same forested valley as several of North Vancouver's big-name attractions.
The best time to visit depends on salmon runs, but even outside peak movement the displays make the river system easier to understand. Combine it with Cleveland Dam or Capilano River Regional Park for a low-cost nature outing.