Image: Kooskia National Fish Hatchery, ID (27869072311)

Description: Kooskia National Fish Hatchery, authorized by Congress in August 1961, was established to rear spring chinook salmon for release into the Clearwater River basin. The hatchery is located 1.5 miles southeast of Kooskia, Idaho near the confluence of Clear Creek and the Middle Fork Clearwater River. Kooskia National Fish Hatchery is managed and operated by the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.Construction of the hatchery was started in 1966. Fish production, begun in 1969, established runs of adult spring chinook salmon returning to Clear Creek. Smolts released from the hatchery return 2-3 years later as 7-20 pound adults. In 2007, the certification of the Snake River Basin Adjudication settlement included transfer of hatchery management to the Nez Perce Tribe, who are responsible for the day-to-day fish production, supporting the goal to raise and release up to 600,000 juvenile spring Chinook salmon annually.
Title: Kooskia National Fish Hatchery, ID (27869072311)
Credit: Kooskia National Fish Hatchery, ID
Author: USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No