Hagerman National Fish Hatchery

Hagerman National Fish Hatchery is an anadromous production hatchery located about 5.4 miles south of Hagerman, and about one mile upstream of the Hagerman State Fish Hatchery. The hatchery was initially constructed in 1932 as a rainbow trout hatchery. In 1979, it was converted to a steelhead trout mitigation hatchery under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Lower Snake River Compensation Program. This program is a federal mitigation program funded by Bonneville Power Administration for lost natural fish production and harvest opportunity caused by hydropower development on the Lower Snake River. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game assumed operations of the hatchery in 2018 with continued funding provided through Bonneville Power Administration.

Site Overview

The hatchery consists of three separate areas that are used for incubation and early rearing of steelhead and rainbow trout. In late-summer when the fish reach the fingerling stage, they are marked, tagged and moved from their early rearing units to outdoor raceways. The hatchery uses water that emanates from nearby springs that supply a constant 59℉ temperature year-round. Four permanent hatchery personnel and multiple temporary staff work at the hatchery year-round.

Visitors

Hagerman National Fish Hatchery is a popular stopping point in the Hagerman Valley. The hatchery is open to the public in designated areas daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Large group tours can be arranged with advanced notice by calling (208) 837-4896. There is no charge to visit the hatchery.

Species Production

The hatchery’s steelhead trout mitigation goal is 1.56 million. Each June, the hatchery receives eyed steelhead trout eggs from the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery, and the fish remain on the station until the following April when they reach the smolt stage. At this time they are transported and released back into the Salmon River and East Fork Salmon River. The hatchery’s rainbow trout mitigation goal is 20,000 pounds of rainbow trout. The hatchery receives rainbow trout eggs from Hayspur Fish Hatchery. These fish are released as sterile catchable-sized trout each year into Magic Valley regional waters.