read: 543 / emailed: 0 / share: email
November 17, 2011
Hatcheries: Watch fish by the thousands
If you love fish and fishing, a stop at one or both of Linn County's fish hatcheries is a must.
South Santiam Hatchery, built in 1968 directly below Foster Dam on North River Drive, raises spring chinook and summer steelhead. The facility was built and is partially funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to compensate for the loss of spawning and rearing areas above the dams on the South �Santiam River. It is operated by staff members from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The best time to visit is June through January, when the fish are introduced as juveniles and are growing to adult size. Returning adults are captured at Foster Dam between March and October. Spawning of adult fish takes place during the months of September for spring chinook and December and January for summer steelhead. Juvenile fish are reared at the hatchery year-round. There also is a 1,200-gallon aquarium for viewing various species of adult and juvenile fish.
Self-guided tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to dusk and guided tours for groups from 7:30 a.m. to 4:20 p.m., Monday through Sunday. For information, call (541) 367-3437.
Roaring River Hatchery, seven miles down Fish Hatchery Drive off Highway 226, southeast of Scio, raises rainbow trout weighing up to 15 pounds, as well as summer and winter steelhead. Visits are encouraged all year; the trout spawn in November and December.
Both hatcheries have outdoor display board and interpretive signing at or near the hatchery ponds. For information, call (541) 394-2496.
