Nature Center Gets New Fish

Only a few hours from the river and still full of energy from their spawning drive, four full-grown Chinook salmon arrived at the MK Nature Center Thursday afternoon, June 16. The four fish, each about three feet long, came by truck from the Rapid River Hatchery near Riggins, where they were trapped upon their return to their native stream. They were transferred, with much splashing and several escape attempts, in two large coolers to the Nature Center's fish viewing pond. A small crowd gathered to watch the unceremonious transfer. The four large salmon, probably all males, will live out their lives at the Nature Center-probably until some time in September. Until then the salmon can be viewed through the large new window into the underwater world of the Alpine Lake of the center's Stream Walk.