What We Do
The Makah National Fish Hatchery releases approximately 3 million young Chinook salmon, coho salmon and winter steelhead annually. The process of spawning adults, incubating eggs, rearing fry, marking and tagging fry, and releasing millions of fish each year requires dedicated year-round work from our hatchery staff, hatchery evaluation team, and fish health veterinarians. Please visit our Fish Production Cycle Page for a more detailed description of the work we do.
Management and Conservation
Since 1871, National Fish Hatcheries have been responding to conservation challenges affecting America’s fish and other aquatic species. Producing fish continues to be an irreplaceable tool in managing or restoring fisheries along with habitat conservation.
The Makah National Fish Hatchery rears and releases approximately 3 million young Chinook and coho salmon and winter steelhead into the Tsoo-Yess River every year. These hatchery fish maintain these species' populations in the region and allow for their continued role for Tribes, recreational sport fishing, and the watershed ecosystem. This effort involves support from the Makah Tribe and other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offices. This includes assessing collaborative efforts include developing hatchery management strategies and adjusting production to account for changing habitat and water quality conditions that affect fish populations.
Our Services
The Makah National Fish Hatchery has released over 92 million young salmon and trout into the Tsoo-Yess River since 1981. The fish we raise and release provide a resource for Makah subsistence fishing and cultural practices as well as local commercial and recreational anglers.
Our hatchery also serves as an educational and experiential resource for the local community and beyond. We host and support local events as well as provide educational programming, classroom visits, and tours for local schools. You're welcome to tour the hatchery grounds and our self-guided visitor center. Guided tours can be arranged based on staff availability. Call (360) 645-2521 to check availability and schedule.