Visit
Us
When
and Where to Visit...
Fish hatcheries are generally located in beautiful locations; the Carson
National Fish Hatchery is no exception. Visitors can enjoy a picnic at a peaceful
spot in the heart of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest; watch birds that include
ducks, geese, osprey, and eagles; catch a glimps of the resident elk herd and
see salmon returning to the place of their birth--in this case, to the hatcheries
where they began their life two to five years earlier.
For more details about activities at the hatcheries or to schedule a group tour,
please call the hatchery at 509-427-5905 or the Columbia Gorge Information and
Education Office at 509-493-2934.
Spring
As the weather warms up and wildflowers brighten the Gorge, spring
Chinook salmon return up the Columbia River, entering the Wind
River on their journey back to Carson National Fish Hatchery.
Others swim up the Little White Salmon River through Drano
Lake to the Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery. Anglers
flock to the mouth of the Wind River and to Drano Lake to try
their luck at catching the 15 to 20 pound fish. All state fishing
regulations apply; check with the Washington State Department
of Fish and Wildlife for latest season information (360-902-2500
for latest updates or 306-902-2200 for general information).
Summer
During the summer, the hatcheries are good places to enjoy the park-like
settings and see wildlife along the nearby rivers. Picnic and visitor facilities
are available, and there are public restrooms and parking for cars
and recreational vehicles. The Carson Hatchery is located within
the boundaries of the scenic Gifford Pinchot National Forest and
has ample hiking and camping opportunities. The hatchery is also
located on the main drive up the back side of Mt. St. Helen's National
Volcanic Monument. Call the hatchery for visitor information at 509-427-5905.
Spring Creek Hatchery releases the last of two groups of fall Chinook
salmon smolts each May, but they have an excellent information center
in the administrative office with brochures and programs available.
Views from Spring Creek include a panoramic view of Mt. Hood, the
city of Hood River, and the Columbia River Gorge. From the hatchery,
visitors can also watch large numbers of windsurfers enjoying the
brisk winds at this world-class windsurfing site. The other hatcheries
have young fish in raceways year-round.
Fall
As the summer ends in late August and early September, tule fall
Chinook salmon begin returning to Spring Creek Hatchery. Visitors
can pick up a brochure at the parking area and take a self-guided
tour through the hatchery or arrange group tours in advance. Each
September, on the second or third Saturday, Spring Creek holds an
Open House during which visitors can take hatchery tours, watch adult
salmon being spawned in the state-of-the-art spawning facility, enjoy
refreshments, and have fun with special activities for children.
Call the hatchery at 509-493-1730 for details. Upriver bright fall Chinook salmon begin returning to the Little White Salmon NFH in mid-October. These fish can be seen from the viewing deck at the hatchery and also in the underground holding tank viewing room. These salmon will be spawned from late-October through mid-November.
Winter
The strong Gorge winds and sometimes-harsh weather provide a dramatic
setting for a visit to the hatcheries. January through early
April, millions of fall Chinook salmon are marked with an adipose
fin clip and coded wire tags before being released into the rivers
leading to the Pacific Ocean. Visitors are welcome to watch the
tagging inside the comfort of the trailers that are moved to
each hatchery during tagging season. Winters are also the best
time to watch the eagles soaring in the wind and at river's edge,
feeding on salmon carcasses returned to the river after the spawning
is finished.
