Carson National Fish Hatchery

Come enjoy the Carson National Fish Hatchery

Welcome

14041 Wind River Highway
Carson, WA 98610
509-427-5905
Hatchery Manager - Larry Zeigenfuss

The Carson National Fish Hatchery releases more than 1.1 million spring Chinook salmon smolts (young salmon) annually. Funding for the Carson National Fish Hatchery is through Mitchell Act funds, which are administered by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

Hatchery History
The Carson National Fish Hatchery, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, began rearing salmon and trout in 1937. During the 1980s, the hatchery began rearing spring Chinook salmon exclusively. Because of the loss and degradation of spawning habitat and the impact of dams on migration, the spring Chinook was in rapid decline. Since 1960, hatchery production has helped spring Chinook populations recover in the lower Columbia River.

Learn More About Us...

	Spring Chinook Salmon counts as of 5/23/2013: Overnight = 55 Total = 1,199 For the most current fish return information visit the Fish Passage Center website. Visit our FaceBook page to see the latest return totals to the hatchery!

	Visiting the Hatchery Carson National Fish Hatchery is at the confluence of Tyee Creek and the Wind River, 14 miles north of the Columbia River, about 60 miles east of Vancouver, Washington. To visit the hatchery, turn north off State Route 14 at the Wind River Highway, about 3 miles east of Stevenson, WA, and continue for 14 miles to the hatchery. Visitors are welcome from 7:30 am until 4:00 pm daily. Call in advance for information about group tours and dates of hatchery activities 509-427-5905.

	Salmon Released... The Carson NFH released nearly 1.2 million spring Chinook salmon smolts (juvenile salmon) into the Wind River on April 2013. This Chinook release fulfills important legal responsibilities the U.S. government has to Native American tribes under the U.S. v. Oregon Management Agreement, as well as Federal government responsibilities to mitigate for lost salmon production and spawning grounds due to the construction of hydropower projects that are part of the Federal Columbia River Power System.

	Columbia River Gorge National Fish Hatchery Complex To capture efficiencies and achieve aquatic conservation four hatcheries were reorganized during the past year into a multi-hatchery complex.The Columbia River Gorge National Fish Hatchery Complex includes the Carson, Little White Salmon, Spring Creek and Willard National Fish Hatcheries. The new organization accomplishes the production of over 20 million spring Chinook, fall Chinook and Coho salmon through the sharing of staff and resources to meet the Service's Fisheries mitigation, restoration and tribal trust responsibilities.

	Kid's Fishing Day Come out and enjoy the 14th Annual Kid's Fishing Day on September 8, 2012. A great family event! Check out this and other special events at our Calendar of Events.