Minter Creek Fish Hatchery

Minter Creek Fish Hatchery, operated by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), plays a vital role in sustaining salmon populations in Puget Sound. Established in 1936, the hatchery annually incubates up to 13 million eggs, raising various salmon species including chum, coho, Chinook, and steelhead. These efforts support local recreational, commercial, and tribal fisheries, and contribute to the recovery and conservation of threatened salmon stocks.

The hatchery releases millions of fish directly into Minter Creek each year, including chum, coho, fall Chinook, and spring Chinook. It also provides eggs for educational programs, allowing schools to raise salmon in classrooms before releasing them into local creeks. While fall Chinook are not indigenous to Minter Creek, 1.8 million fingerlings of this species are released annually. Additionally, Minter Creek Hatchery participates in the White River spring Chinook recovery program, raising hundreds of thousands of these non-adipose clipped fish annually for stock viability.

Visitors are welcome to experience the hatchery and observe salmon. During viewing season, typically from September through January, you can watch salmon congregate in a pool at a creek barrier or ascend the fish ladder. An educational room is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Restrooms and parking facilities are available on site for guests.