WDFW and Tri-State Steelheaders hatch plan to enrich Tucannon River waters

SPOKANE – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is partnering with Tri-State Steelheaders to distribute more than 1,500 carcasses of adult salmon which were previously used for hatcher spawning in the Tucannon River Saturday.

The salmon spawned this fall at Lyons Ferry Fish Hatchery near Starbuck. Their carcasses will enhance nutrients in the waterway. They will provide food for aquatic insects and other species that juvenile salmon, steelhead, and other fish eat. Otters, mink, and other wildlife also consume the carcasses.

“Historically, salmon and steelhead provided these important nutrients by returning in large numbers to the rivers to spawn, die, and decay,” WDFW biologist Michael Gallinat said. “In recent years though, too few salmon and steelhead have returned to the Tucannon River to provide the necessary nutrients to maintain a productive food web.”

Hatchery carcass distribution has been used to enhance nutrients in waters in Washington state for decades. WDFW reports that several research studies show that the distribution of carcasses helps maintain streams as health salmon habitat.

Salmon fishing photo from WDFW

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Elkhorn Media Group