Visit Us

Winthrop National Fish Hatchery is located in Okanogan County in north central Washington, at 453A Twin Lakes Road, Winthrop, WA, 98862. The 42 acre site lies ninety miles north of Wenatchee and sits just outside the town of Winthrop. The Methow River flows through the northern edge of the property.

Directions: As you drive along State Highway 20 to Winthrop, look for Twin Lakes Road on the east end of town and follow the signs to the Hatchery. Come on in for a visit!

Activities

Tour the Hatchery

Visitors are welcome to tour our hatchery. In summer, a volunteer may be on hand to show you around. Although our small staff is busy, we can help answer your questions, too.

A two story concrete structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.

Learn more about structure
houses are returning adults from May to late August. A viewing window in the side allows you to see the fish.

Pets must be on a leash.

Winthrop Kids Free Fishing Day

Everyone is welcome to this event, typically held on the grounds of Winthrop National Fish Hatchery the second Saturday in June. Activities and booths are set up outside so visitors can enjoy learning more about nature, salmon, and how we're all connected. Kids under the age of 14 are issued a "passport" to fill out, earning a chance to catch a fish in our pond! Staff and volunteers clean the fish for the children to take home and share with their loved ones. Join us during National Fishing and Boating Week for a great time outdoors!

Trails

Bike or Ski the Trail

The Methow Valley Community Trail provides 34 miles of cycling, and a trailhead is located on the corner of the hatchery. Learn more about the trail system here...

Other Facilities in the Complex

Entiat, Leavenworth, and Winthrop National Fish Hatcheries are mitigation hatcheries established by the Grand Coulee Fish Maintenance Project (1937) to compensate for anadromous fish losses above Grand Coulee Dam. All three produce spring or summer Chinook salmon, and our Winthrop hatchery produces steelhead. 

As part of the Leavenworth Fisheries Complex, the Mid-Columbia Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office evaluates the hatchery production programs, provides technical assistance, and assists the coordination of operations and production. The Conservation Office cooperates with other Service programs, agencies, tribes, and entities using and managing aquatic species and their habitats in the mid- and upper-Columbia River Basin.

Rules and Policies

Please visit only during posted hours, typically 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dogs must be on leash at all times.

Commercial activities must have a special use permit.

Locations

Winthrop National Fish Hatchery
453A Twin Lakes RoadWinthrop,WA98862-9715