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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

About Us

Updated May 13, 2026

Winthrop National Fish Hatchery raises spring Chinook and coho salmon, and steelhead.

Winthrop National Fish Hatchery works with partners to achieve goals we couldn't do as well alone. Our staff works closely with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Douglas County Public Utility District in collecting adult steelhead for broodstock , and in the monitoring and evaluation of the hatchery steelhead programs in the Methow Sub-basin. We raise coho salmon for the Yakama Nation to help them with their vision of restoring coho populations. The Nation also rehabilitates steelhead kelts at our hatchery. These are just a few examples of partnerships that benefit wildlife and people.

Learn more about us on an introductory video.

Currently, we raise 200,000 steelhead, 400,000 spring Chinook, and 250,000 coho salmon for release into the Methow River. Salmon and steelhead must travel 574 river miles between the hatchery and the Pacific Ocean. Learn more about our Chinook salmon program and our steelhead program on the Friends of Northwest Hatcheries YouTube channel.

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About Us | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service