Welcome
Quilcene National Fish Hatchery lies in a narrow valley on the east side of Washington's Olympic Peninsula on Highway 101 two miles south of Quilcene and at the confluence of the Big Quilcene River and Penny Creek. Covering slightly over 47 acres, Quilcene NFH's main facilities include 39 raceways, each 8 feet wide and 80 feet long, three water intake structures (two on the Big Quilcene River and one on Penny Creek,) a pre-settling pond, a pollution abatement pond, a hatchery building containing the office, conference room, break room, and tank room, an isolation/quarantine building, and a shop building all located on the west bank of the Big Quilcene River.
Driving directions
Quilcene National Fish Hatchery has a long history and has been in continuous operation since 1911. We raise coho salmon for on-station release and provide coho salmon eggs and fingerlings for tribal programs. We also work closely with other groups in monitoring the local summer chum salmon runs.
The fish production program at Quilcene NFH is a cooperative effort involving many partners. Changes in fish production must meet legal mandates, adhere to several management plans, and be agreed to by all partners. Our partners include the Northwest Indian Fish Commission, Point No Point tribes ( Port Gamble S' Klallam tribe, Jamestown S' Klallam tribe), Skokomish tribe, Lower Elwha Klallam tribe, Suquamish tribe, other federal agencies (NOAA fisheries), the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Jefferson County, Port Townsend Mill and several private resource enhancement groups (Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement, Long Live the Kings) and other U.S. Fish & Wildlife offices, including the Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, Olympia Fish Health Center, & Abernathy Fish Technology Center, also provide technical support.
Quilcene NFH's fish production programs were reviewed by the Hatchery Scientific Review Group (HSRG). They reviewed programs from July 9, 2007, and made recommendations to each facility. Many of these recommendations are reflected in our current fish production programs.
Our mission is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
