With an abundance of water, woods and wildlife in our area, it is no surprise that Skamania County has multiple fish hatcheries and National Wildlife Refuge areas to visit!
Whether you’d like to bring your kids to learn about the ecosystems at the hatcheries or view beautiful wildlife at the refuges, there is plenty to explore in Skamania County!
Fish Hatcheries
Carson National Fish Hatchery
https://www.fws.gov/fish-hatchery/carson
14041 Wind River Highway, Carson, WA, 98610
(509) 427-5905
Carson National Fish Hatchery is open on weekdays (Monday through Friday) from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. They welcome tour groups of all sizes. To schedule a tour, please call the Hatchery at (509) 427-5905.
- Carson National Fish Hatchery was built in 1938 by the Civilian Conservation Corp. to address the impacts of federal water projects, particularly Bonneville Dam.
- The hatchery annually raises and releases 1.52 million spring Chinook salmon to mitigate fishery losses caused by hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River.
- It’s part of a network of hatcheries in the Columbia River Gorge that collaborates with Tribes to produce over 22.5 million salmon annually.
- Best times to visit:
- May through August to view adult salmon
- May to see fry being marked before release
- August to see spawning
- Year-round viewing of young fish
- Last Sunday in June for their Open House
Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery
https://www.fws.gov/fish-hatchery/little-white-salmon
5696 State Road 14 Cook, WA, 98605
(509) 538-2755
The Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery is open on weekdays (Monday through Friday) from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. To schedule a tour, you can reach out to the Hatchery at 509-538-2755 or contact the Columbia Gorge Information and Education Office at 509-493-2934.
Explore a variety of outdoor activities at the hatchery! Enjoy great fishing along our entrance road, including the popular salmon spot, Drano Lake. We have an accessible fishing ramp for those with disabilities. Stroll along the entrance road for beautiful river and lake views, unique wildlife sightings, and a chance to witness salmon returning to their natal stream and the hatchery.
- Founded in 1898, it’s the oldest Columbia River hatchery and a pioneer in salmon propagation.
- The hatchery raises and releases approximately 5.5 million young spring and up-river bright fall Chinook salmon annually.
- It also collects eggs for other facilities in the region, totaling around 16.5 million collected eggs each year.
- It’s part of a network of hatcheries in the Columbia River Gorge that collaborates with Tribes to produce over 22.5 million salmon annually.
- Best times to visit:
- May through August to view adult spring Chinook
- Late-July through August to watch spawning of spring Chinook
- Mid-October to mid-November to watch spawning of fall Chinook
- Year-round to view young fish
Willard National Fish Hatchery
https://www.fws.gov/fish-hatchery/willard
5501B Cook-Underwood Road, Cook, WA, 98605
(509) 538-2305
Willard National Fish Hatchery is open on weekdays (Monday through Friday) from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. The best time to come is late spring through fall, but fingerling fish are there year-round. Find them on the banks of the picturesque Little White Salmon River, known for its stunning blue-green waters.
Activities include enjoying mountain canyon views, picnicking, salmon viewing, bird watching, and self-guided hatchery tours.
- Open on weekdays (Monday through Friday) from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm.
- This hatchery was opened in 1953 to compensate for the loss of upstream habitat due to hydroelectric projects.
- Willard is a rearing facility only, adult salmon cannot make it back to the hatchery due to large waterfalls on the Little White Salmon River.
- Nearly one million salmon are returned to the Columbia River system yearly.
- Currently, the hatchery produces two million upriver bright fall Chinook salmon annually, released into the Little White Salmon River.
- It also raises up to 1.2 million coho salmon annually in partnership with the Yakama Nation, which are transferred to various acclimation sites in north central Washington before release.
- Best times to visit:
- Year-round to view young fish
Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery
https://www.fws.gov/fish-hatchery/spring-creek
61552 State Road 14, Underwood, WA, 98651
(509) 493-1730
Spring Creek is 65 miles east of Portland, OR. Take I-84 east for 64 miles to Hood River, exit at 64, cross the toll bridge, turn left onto State Highway 14, and drive about 3 miles. You’ll find the hatchery on your left, near mile marker 61.
- The hatchery raises 12.5 million young Tule Fall Chinook salmon annually.
- It’s part of a network of hatcheries in the Columbia River Gorge that collaborates with Tribes to produce over 22.5 million salmon annually.
- Best times to visit:
- September to view adult Tule Fall Chinook and spawning
- December- mid May to view young fish in ponds
- January – March to view marking of fry
- 2nd or 3rd week of September for their Open House
National Wildlife Refuges
Franz Lake National Wildlife Refuge
(360) 887-4106
Located in Skamania County, just 31 miles east of Vancouver Washington, the refuge is known for its seasonal abundance of tundra swans, and offers local communities and travelers the opportunity to view nature from the convenience of an overlook off of State Route 14.
- Established in 1990, it’s the largest and most intact wapato and rush marsh on the lower Columbia River.
- Its primary purpose is to preserve biodiversity.
- Franz and Arthur lakes serve as critical habitat for wintering tundra swans and various other waterfowl species.
- The refuge features springs and seeps recognized as vital brood and rearing areas for young salmon.
Pierce National Wildlife Refuge
(360) 887-4106
Located 36 miles east of Vancouver, just past Beacon Rock State Park, near Stevenson, Washington, the refuge is a rare undisturbed sanctuary for wildlife in the highly visited Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area. The Refuge offers larger species like Roosevelt Elk and black bear, and threatened and endangered species such as chum salmon and western pond turtles a place to thrive and recover.
- Established in 1983 with a focus on providing habitat for waterfowl, especially Canada geese.
- Habitat types within the refuge encompass wetlands, grasslands, forests, and streams.
- Staff and partners are dedicated to researching, restoring, and monitoring these habitats and species for their long-term well-being.
- Due to its research and monitoring priorities, visitor access to the refuge is restricted, and human disturbance is minimized.
Ready to come out and explore? Stevenson, Washington is the perfect basecamp for all of your hiking and Gorge adventures! With world-class kiteboarding, award-winning breweries and exquisite local fare, there are endless things to do once you arrive in Stevenson! And that’s just in town 🙂 Staying in the Gorge HQ means you’re only minutes from hikes, wineries, waterfalls, scenic drives, fishing, golfing and SO MUCH MORE! Book your trip now!
