A Hatchery Built In 1947 And Managed By The Oregon Department Of Fish And Wildlife That Draws Over 70,000 Visitors A Year
In the middle of the Deschutes National Forest in Central Oregon thousands of growing fish swim through blue-green waters.
The Wizard Falls Hatchery is located about ten miles north of the headwaters of the Metolius River and draws about 70,000 visitors every year. Built in 1947 the hatchery is one of 33 managed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). Fed by two separate springs, the hatchery maintains cold, consistent water temperatures throughout the year and breeding is not disrupted.
Hatchery visitors have an opportunity to see a variety of young fish with bold colors and different sizes. The cast of characters that live at the hatchery each offer something different to visitors.
The number of fish varies with the season, according to Doug Curtis, senior technician at the hatchery.
“At a low point in the fall there may be as few as 500,000,” he said. “At the high point in the spring Wizard Falls exceeds 3,000,000.”
Visitors of all ages flock to the hatchery each year, Curtis said. Children love the opportunity to help the developing fish grow by providing them some sustenance for a paltry sum of just 25 cents. Older visitors enjoy the park-like settings and display ponds scattered around the hatchery.
The Atlantic salmon is a rare sight on the West Coast but the fish, which can sometimes get quite large, are incubated at the hatchery. The brownish-silver fish can be found in Hosmer Lake, a beautiful, natural lake in the shadow of the Cascade Mountains.
The kokanee salmon must live in a lake after their incubation period at the hatchery. These fish with their unusual hue add a silvery color to the aquamarine waters of the hatchery.
One of the most stunning fish is the brook trout. Also originating in the east, the best time to see these colorful aquatic vertebrae is in the cooler months because the fish thrive in water colder than 65 degrees. These creatures are dark green with cream and red spots on the sides and more red underneath and can thrive so much that they may overpopulate a lake if not managed properly, according to the ODFW.
While the brook trout offers consistent color, the rainbow trout’s shadings will vary depending on their habitat. In some waters rainbow trout are bluish green and silver while in other waters the fish may appear to be darker. The 33 hatcheries managed by the OFDW manage millions of these fish every year.
The cutthroat trout is the most specific as evidenced by its name. It has two red slash marks on the underside of the jaw. As colorful as others in the trout family, the cutthroat trout is marked by dark green on the top with olive sides and a silver belly. Those that populate the seas are more bluish in appearance.
The hatchery offers a beautiful view of the Cascade Mountains and many birds fly across the landscape throughout the year including eagles and Canada geese.
“The three-acre settling pond has two nesting boxes built for Canada geese,” Curtis said. “The pond and accompanying grounds are not only utilized by on-site nesting pairs but are often joined by multiple family groups nestled along the Metolius River. The geese tend to be present in the winter and spring seasons only.”
For those who want to plan a trip, several events are held at the Wizard Falls Hatchery each year.
“The first Saturday in June is Oregon’s free fishing weekend,” Curtis said. “Angling opportunities for participants ages 10 and under are provided on site.
Hikers, bicyclists (on and off road), birdwatchers, floral enthusiasts as well as campers and picnickers can be seen near the hatchery in the warmer months. In the winter, cross country skiers whirl through the nearby mountains. With the hatchery open throughout the year, many who come to the forest for other adventures often find themselves drawn to the serene waters of the hatchery.
Kim Jarrett
A graduate of Shorter University in Rome, Georgia with a BFA in Communications, Kim has spent 26 years writing for print and broadcast media including the Dalton Daily Citizen. She enjoys crafting and traveling.
Make Sure To Stay At:
Casey's Riverside RV Park, where guests can rest and relax by rushing waters and tree covered mountains. Kayak, raft or drift boat on either of the two forks of the Willamette River that converge at the site.