RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. (AP) - A popular attraction is sitting idle this year at a Northern California salmon festival over concern about a meager fall run for the embattled fish.

The fish ladder at the state-run Nimbus Hatchery is usually open each year for the American River Salmon Festival.

The ladder guides spawning salmon into holding ponds before their eggs are harvested for the hatchery.

State wildlife biologists estimate the American River salmon run this year will number about 6,000 fish, compared to an average of 35,000.

The ladder remained closed for this weekend's festival to avoid stressing the few fish making their way up the river.

Federal and state officials have canceled most salmon fishing this year in Northern California because of the fish's small numbers.

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Information from: The Sacramento Bee, http://www.sacbee.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-10-12-08 1744EDT