What We Do
Established: 1937
Purpose & Authorizing Legislation: Carson National Fish Hatchery was authorized under the Mitchell Act to mitigate for Tribal, sport, and commercial fishery losses associated with operation of hydroelectric dams, primarily Bonneville Dam.
Funding: Funding is primarily provided though the Mitchell Act, administered by NOAA Fisheries, for the spring Chinook rearing program. Carson NFH also receives some additional funding to produce salmon for the benefit of southern resident killer whales via the Pacific Salmon Treaty.
Fish Produced: Carson currently produces 1.52 million spring Chinook salmon annually for release directly into the Wind River. It also provides 250,000 spring Chinook eggs to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Lyons Ferry Fish Hatchery for the Touche River Program and up to 400,000 spring Chinook eggs to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Walla Walla Fish Hatchery Production Program for reintroduction into the Walla Walla River.
Management and Conservation
The next time you go fishing, you might just catch a fish that was raised at Carson National Fish Hatchery. Since 1871, National Fish Hatcheries have been responding to conservation challenges affecting America’s fish and other aquatic species. Producing fish continues to be an irreplaceable tool in managing or restoring fisheries along with habitat conservation. In doing so, we help provide recreation opportunities to America’s 34 million anglers who spend $36 billion annually in pursuit of their favored pastime.
Our Projects and Research
Carson National Fish Hatchery provides 250,000 spring Chinook eggs to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Lyons Ferry Fish Hatchery for the Touche River Program and up to 400,000 spring Chinook eggs to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Walla Walla Fish Hatchery Production Program for reintroduction into the Walla Walla River.