Ocean to Idaho

Mile 602: Hatcheries

Salmon swimming 850 miles from the ocean to Idaho are a mix of wild stock and hatchery stock. You can tell if you catch a wild fish because it still has a fin on its back. That fin is clipped on hatchery fish. Up to 40% of the Chinook salmon caught on the Lower Columbia River come from Rapid River Fish Hatchery in Riggins, Idaho.