Willard
Plan Your Visit
We are open Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 3:30 pm. The best time to visit the Willard National Fish Hatchery is late spring through fall; fingerling fish are present year round. The hatchery is located on the banks of the wild and scenic Little White Salmon River. The deep blue-green water attracts recreationists of all levels; from class V kayaking rapids to a quiet picnic to enjoy the peaceful scenery - this river does not disappoint. Activities include: enjoying the mountain canyon scenery, picnicking, viewing salmon, bird watching, and self-guided hatchery tours. Tour groups of all size are welcome; please call the hatchery at (509) 538-2305 for more information.
Fish hatcheries are generally located in beautiful locations and the Willard National Fish Hatchery is no exception. We're located adjacent to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, approximately 60 miles east of Portland, Oregon, in Washington State. The surrounding forest is loaded with recreational opportunities. Hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and more will keep you busy; or there are plenty of places for a quiet picnic...including the hatchery!
While the hatchery doesn't have any hiking trails on the hatchery grounds, we are located adjacent to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest which is loaded with many amazing hiking trails.
Activities
Featured Species
Get Involved
Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National fish hatcheries provide many opportunities for you to help your community and fish and wildlife by doing what you love. National fish hatcheries partner with volunteers, youth groups, landowners, neighbors and residents of both urban and rural communities to make a lasting difference. There are opportunities for everyone to get involved!
We enjoy having visitors and volunteers at our hatchery. You can come watch the hatchery at work or learn how to lend a hand.
The hatcheries provide local individuals the opportunity to volunteer by assisting hatchery staff with fish production, light maintenance activities and special events. All volunteers compliment our hatchery programs and offer valuable support. To volunteer, contact Jennifer Rowlen at jennifer_rowlen@fws.gov.
Services
Willard rears up to one million coho salmon for the Yakama Nation and two million upriver bright fall Chinook salmon from the Little White Salmon NFH. These bright salmon are released directly into the Little White Salmon River at the hatchery.
About
Willard National Fish Hatchery is located on the Little White Salmon River, approximately five miles upstream from the Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery. We are located above an impassable natural waterfall and migrating adult salmon are unable to reach the Willard facility. Adult fish are collected and spawned at the Little White Salmon facility and eggs are shipped to Willard to initiate fish production. The hatchery includes 80.10 acres of land and we are co-located with the U.S. Geological Survey's Columbia River Research Laboratory.