Monday April 11, 2022
Oroville Mercury-Register —
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced 21 of its 22 hatcheries have reopened across the state Thursday including the Feather River Fish Hatchery in Oroville.
After 2 years being closed because of COVID restrictions, the Feather River Fish Hatchery is now open for visitors for self guided tours and guided tours by appointment only.
The hatchery, completed in 1967 after the construction of the Oroville Dam, is responsible for managing the life cycle of chinook salmon and steelhead trout that spawn upstream the Feather River.
In the spring and in the fall, both species of fish swim from the Pacific Ocean towards the hatchery where they are collected and grown for eggs and sperm.
Fish Hatchery Manager Anna Kastner said chinook salmon captured during last fall are now growing to maturity and available to see during visitor hours.