Welcome to the Little White Salmon Fish Hatchery! Founded in 1898, it is the oldest Columbia River hatchery and a pioneer of salmon propagation. We raise and release roughly 5.5 million young spring and up-river bright fall Chinook salmon each year; in addition we collect eggs for other facilities in the region bringing our total egg collection to around 16.5 million annually. Our hatchery mitigates fishery losses due to hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River and provides for an important sport fishery, while also fulfills tribal trust responsibilities. Furthermore, we belong to a Complex of hatcheries along the Columbia River Gorge that partners with Tribes to produce over 22.5 million salmon per year to mitigate fishery losses, restore fish populations, and provide Tribes with an important cultural resource - now that's a lot of fish!
fishing boats on Drano Lake
Adult Fish Returns

15,441 Upriver Bright Fall Chinook salmon adults have returned to the hatchery as of November 14, 2024.

What We Do

Chinook salmon eggs
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The Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery produces 1.4 million spring Chinook and 4.5 million upriver bright fall Chinook salmon for on-site release and another 1.1 million upriver brights for marking and transfer to the Yakama Nation Prosser Hatchery. We also collect eggs for various other federal, state, and tribal programs, bringing our annual egg take up around 16.5 million. Our annual production fulfills tribal trust responsibilities, and mitigates for tribal, sport, and commercial fishery losses associated with the operation of hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River.

Our Organization

Juvenile Northern Pike in aquarium at Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery, South Dakota
The Fish and Aquatic Conservation program leads aquatic conservation efforts for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We are committed to tackling the nation’s highest priority aquatic conservation and recreational challenges to conserve, restore, and enhance fisheries for future generations.
Program
Falls Church,VA

Our Species

Hatchery Manager hold fall Chinook salmon
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Our hatchery raises two types of Chinook salmon: upriver bright fall Chinook salmon and spring Chinook salmon. Find out why this species is sometimes called king salmon!

Visit Us

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Where We're Located

We are located in south central Washington on the Little White Salmon River approximately one mile upstream from the Columbia River. The Little White Salmon River joins the Columbia River at river mile 162. Drano Lake is a natural lake at the mouth of the Little White Salmon River and is a popular sport and tribal fishing area. 

When To See The Fish

Fish hatcheries are generally located in beautiful locations and the Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery is no exception. Come enjoy the river scenery with a peaceful picnic, view the majestic river at a unique overlook, find your favorite bird, or simply watch the salmon swim home to the hatchery via our viewing platform or underground viewing room!  You can see adult spring Chinook salmon May through August; and fall Chinook salmon October through November. We are open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. Open weekends 8:00 am - 3:00 pm April through June for self-guided visits. To schedule a tour, please call the the Columbia Gorge Information and Education Office at 509-493-2934.

Latest News

Drawing of a brown duck with a green patch above its eye sitting in greenish water.
Get Involved
Washington Junior Duck Stamp Program
Do you love conservation and want to know how to help? Consider participating in the annual Junior Duck Stamp competition!
Male wood duck sitting on teal-green water with ripples, facing right with an orange bill, green head and rusty chest
Get Involved
Where Art and Science Meet
Growing up I always doodled. I scribbled on everything and everything I could get my hands on (even things I shouldn’t, like my bedroom walls). It was how I was able to express myself and share the world through my eyes.
Trumpeter swans taking off from the waters of DeSoto Lake with ducks in the background.
Wildlife Wonders
Carol of the Birds: A Christmas Bird Count Story
The Christmas Bird Count is the nation’s longest running citizen science project. The annual bird survey takes place between December 14 and January 5.
A graphic of a light blue sky with puffy clouds. A green highway sign hangs from the top and reads "The Great American Hatchery Road Trip." At the bottom, a fish drives a blue car along a road toward a brown sign with the USFWS logo and text that reads "Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery."
Recreation
Hatchery Road Trip - Little White Salmon!
As you start planning your summer road trip, why not consider swinging by one of the oldest hatcheries in America? Our National Fish Hatchery System has something to entertain everyone in your family, so check out these great locations for your summer of fun!
water flowing from Tyee Springs and yellow flower
Wildlife Management
Getting Back to Pristine at Tyee Springs
The non-native brook trout in Tyee Springs, located just upstream of the Carson National Fish Hatchery, can be a source of devastating sickness such as bacterial kidney disease and whirling disease that can be transferred to the hatchery fish as well as downstream into endangered fish populations...
Adult Burbot in holding tanks
Our Partners
Burbot Across the Border
It’s three o’clock in the morning on May 17, 2022, and Nate Jensen and his crew prepare to depart Twin Rivers Tribal Sturgeon and Burbot Hatchery with 68 bags of precious cargo. Jensen is the conservation aquaculture supervisor for the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho.
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Get Involved

hatchery volunteer
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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. We 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 volunteers at our hatchery! We offer both daily and long-term opportunities. The hatcheries provide local individuals the opportunity to volunteer by assisting hatchery staff with special events, fish production, and light maintenance activities. All volunteers compliment our hatchery programs and offer valuable support. To volunteer, contact cheri_anderson@fws.gov, or call Cheri at (509) 493-1730

Location and Contact Information