Columbia Springs

explore experience learn

Vancouver Trout Hatchery

History and Purpose

The Vancouver Hatchery was constructed in 1938 and 1939 as part of the Federal Government Depression-era Works Programs Administration. The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife purchased the original 34+ acres of property because of the abundance of cold natural spring water essential for the successful rearing of fish.

 

The Vancouver Trout Hatchery was considered state of the art at the time of completion. The initial construction included the original hatchery building, three residences, fish rearing tanks and related support facilities.  The original 40-acre property is now bisected by State Route 14 with 20 acres noth of the freeway and 16 acres south.

Scheduled for closure in the mid 1990s, a cooperative agreement was signed by Clark Public Utilities and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in 1996. In 2000 a non-profit partnership was formed that now includes: Evergreen Public Schools, City of Vancouver, Clark County, Vancouver Public Schools, Clark College, as well as, Clark Public Utilities and WDFW. The partnership and hatchery grounds were named Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center.

Production

Vancouver Hatchery production consists of two main fish, Rainbow and Brown Trout.

70,000 half pound catchable Rainbow Trout

35,000 half pound Brown Trout

10,000 one pound coastal cutthroat

Seasonal Activities

Egg arrivals……………........................December through January

Fry to outside ponds………..........................March through May

Release of catchable Trout to area lakes.December through June

Special Kids Festival ………………………..............................Spring

Senior Fishing Festival ………...................................…Mid June

Economic activity generated as a result of harvest activities

Fish reared and released from this facility generates an estimated 70,191 angler trips and $2.61 - $3.05M annually in economic activity.

For more information on Vancouver Hatchery or Columbia Springs, please contact 360-892-2581 or 360-882-0936.