About Us

Kooskia (pronounced "Koos-key") National Fish Hatchery raises and releases over 600,000 spring Chinook salmon and acclimates and releases one million coho salmon fry from Dworshak National Fish Hatchery for release into Clear Creek. Several of these fish return return from the ocean 2-3 years later and are trapped at Kooskia and transfered to Dworshak for spawning.

Our Mission

Kooskia National Fish Hatchery is owned, maintained, and funded by the USFWS, and managed by the Nez Perce Tribe through the Snake River Basin Adjudication agreement (SRBA).

Our History

Kooskia National Fish Hatchery, authorized by Congress in August 1961, was established to rear spring Chinook salmon for release into the Clearwater River Basin. The hatchery is located 1.5 miles southeast of Kooskia, Idaho near the confluence of Clear Creek and the Middle Fork Clearwater River. Construction of the hatchery was started in 1966 and fish production begun in 1969, establishing runs of adult spring Chinook salmon returning to Clear Creek.

In 2007, the certification of the Snake River Basin Adjudication settlement included transfer of hatchery management to the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho, who are responsible for the day-to-day fish production, supporting the goal to raise and release up to 600,000 juvenile spring Chinook salmon annually. The Nez Perce Tribe also co-managers of Dworshak National Fish Hatchery. Both hatcheries are within the 1863 reservation boundaries, near the center of the original 1855 Treaty area that substantiates the Tribe's management authority.