The Clearwater Fish Hatchery and its three satellite facilities comprise the largest hatchery complex constructed by the Army Corp of Engineers under the Lower Snake River Compensation Plan. Construction began in 1986 with the Red River satellite facility and ended in 1991 with the completion of the main Clearwater Hatchery in Ahsahka, Idaho.
The main Clearwater Hatchery is located at Ahsahka, Idaho approximately 45 miles east of Lewiston, Idaho on highway 12. When you arrive at Orofino on highway 12, turn left across the bridge entering town, immediately turn left on highway 7 and travel approximately 4.5 miles, cross the bridge over the North fork of the Clearwater River and take an immediate left across the railroad tracks and into the entry of the Clearwater Hatchery.
The Red River facility is located near the Red River Ranger station approximately 15 miles east of Elk City, Idaho.
The Crooked River facility is located approximately 44 miles east of Grangeville, Idaho on highway 14. Crooked River fish trap is located approximately ¼ mile upstream of the mouth of Crooked River.
The Powell facility is located off state highway 12. Turn south on Elk Summit Road approximate to milepost 163.5 and travel two miles to the entryway sign of the Powell fish trap.
The Lower Snake River Compensation Plan is a federal mitigation program created to provide mitigation for fish losses caused by the construction of the four lower Snake River dams. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game operates the hatchery with funding provided through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Lower Snake River Compensation Plan office.
Related Location
118 Hatchery Roe Drive
Ahsahka, ID 83520
United States
The Clearwater Hatchery receives its water through a uniquely designed pipeline. Two pipelines pass through 25 feet of solid concrete in the middle of the Dworshak Dam. Water is carried 1.8 miles downstream where energy is dissipated through a hydroelectric plant. The water then continues through the two separate pipelines delivering water of two different temperatures to the rearing facility. The available water temperatures allow Clearwater Fish Hatchery to raise 3.75 million spring chinook salmon and 843,00 summer steelhead trout at optimum rearing temperatures. The Clearwater Fish Hatchery houses approximately 100,000 Catchable rainbow trout for redistribution during the months of April-October.
The main hatchery consists of two separate incubation facilities, 35 outdoor raceways for chinook and steelhead rearing, four adult holding ponds and spawning area, residences for eight permanent employees, and an administration building and dormitory.
The three satellite facilities, each with employee housing, are utilized for chinook smolt acclimation prior to release, adult trapping, holding, and spawning.
Species that have been reared at Clearwater Hatchery are spring and summer Chinook salmon, summer steelhead, west slope cutthroat, rainbow trout, kokanee and coho salmon.
The main Clearwater Hatchery and visitor center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time Monday – Friday (closed weekends and holidays). The satellite facilities are open for visitation from mid-June through mid-September while attendants are on the station. Group tours can be arranged by telephoning (208) 476-3331. Adult chinook salmon can be viewed at the main hatcheries and satellite facilities from early June through late August.
Our rainbow trout redistribution program stocks approximately 100,000 fish at 28 different sites in the Clearwater region throughout the summer for public fishing. Several of the sites are ponds that provide excellent fishing opportunities for families with children. A good example of this type of fishing water is Karolyn's Pond located at our Red River Satellite near the Red River Ranger Station. Be sure to check out the Clearwater fish stocking and Family Fishing Waters sections of the IDFG website for recent fish stocking dates and other fishing opportunities.