Cole M. Rivers Hatchery Visitors' Guide
Cole Rivers Hatchery was constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in 1973 to mitigate for spawning and rearing areas blocked by the construction of Lost Creek, Applegate, and Elk Creek Dams. The hatchery was named in honor of Cole M. Rivers, a biologist on the Rogue River for 20 years. The facility is used for adult collection, spawning, egg incubation and rearing of spring Chinook, coho, summer steelhead, and winter steelhead, and egg incubation and rearing of fall Chinook and rainbow trout.
Best time to visit: March - October
Visiting hours: dawn to dusk; 7 days a week
Fish raised: rainbow trout, coho, spring and fall Chinook salmon, and summer and winter steelhead
What to see and do: Cole M. Rivers Hatchery offers an observation deck overlooking a collection pond and adult holding ponds. A viewing room overlooks the spawning area. Display ponds feature trout and steelhead. Anglers may fish at the popular Hatchery Hole for winter and summer steelhead, coho, and Spring Chinook during authorized seasons.
- Wildlife: birds of prey, fish, wading birds, waterfowl
- Facilities: boat ramp, camp host, fishing, ADA accessible, restrooms, small boats, trails
- Nearby: Casey State Park offers day-use-only picnic and boating facilities.
Directions: Take Hwy. 62 from Medford toward Crater Lake National Park to milepost 29 at Casey State Park. Turn north on Takelma Drive. Travel 3/4 mile to Cole M. Rivers Drive. Turn right and follow the road across the Rogue River to the hatchery, located on the east side of the Rogue River.
Address and Phone:
Cole M. Rivers Hatchery
200 Cole M. Rivers Drive
Trail, OR 97541
(541) 878-2235
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