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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Return to Dworshak National Fish Hatchery

About Us

Updated September 25, 2026

Dworshak: One of a kind!

Located within the Clearwater River basin in north-central Idaho, the Dworshak Fisheries Complex consists of Dworshak and Kooskia National Fish Hatcheries, and the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWCO) Office. Also on station is the Idaho Fish Health Center (IDFHC). Dworshak National Fish Hatchery is partially funded by the Army Corps of Engineers and the US Fish and Wildlife Service through the Lower Snake Compensation Office. Administrative positions, the FWCO, the IDFHC, are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. All hatchery production and maintenance for Kooskia and Dworshak Fish Hatcheries is managed by the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho.

Both Dworshak and Kooskia hatcheries work together closely to ensure the return of salmon and steelhead from the Pacific Ocean to the Clearwater River. Dworshak is located at the confluence of the North Fork and the main Clearwater River, just below Dworshak Dam. The dam blocked migrating steelhead and salmon from reaching their natural spawning grounds on the North Fork of the Clearwater River, and its height made it impossible to construct a fish ladder.

Dworshak Feed storage building with our partner logos displayed on the building. Yellow wildflowers can be seen in the foreground.
Dworshak Hatchery sits at the confluence of the main stem of the Clearwater River and the North fork This building is the main feed building and can be seen from across the river, which displays the name of our hatchery and the partnering emblems.
  • Established in 1969
  • Owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers
  • Co-operated by USFWS and Nez Perce Tribe
  • Dworshak National Fish Hatchery has 25 full time employees
  • 2.1 million steelhead trout
  • 1.65 million spring Chinook smolts
  • 400,000 spring Chinook parr, and
  • 500,000 Coho Salmon

The National Fish Hatchery System is comprised of a network of 71 National Fish Hatcheries which propagate imperiled species for restoration and recovery programs, provide emergency refugia for species whose habitat is threatened, provide fish to benefit Tribes, and mitigate for federal water projects.

Our History

TRIBAL TRUST RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the Snake River Basin Adjudication Agreement, the USFWS and Nez Perce Tribe work together at Dworshak National Fish Hatchery on behalf of the shared fishery resource. In June of 2022 the Nez Perce Tribe obtained management responsibilities of the Hatchery while USFWS provides administrative support. This partnership is a national model of government to government collaboration, and helps the Service meet its Tribal Trust obligation.

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