Oxbow Hatchery Visitors' Guide
Oxbow Hatchery was originally constructed in 1913 to provide additional rearing facilities for Bonneville Hatchery. It was relocated to this present site in 1937 following the construction of Bonneville Dam. Oxbow operated as a state-funded hatchery until 1952 when it was remodeled and expanded as part of the Columbia River Fisheries Development Program (Mitchell Act) – a program to enhance declining fish runs in the Columbia River Basin.
The hatchery is presently used for interim egg incubation and early rearing of coho and spring Chinook salmon. No adult fish are collected or spawned at Oxbow and there are no fish released at this facility. Upper and Lower Herman Creek Ponds are used as interim rearing sites for coho transferred in from other facilities.
Best time to visit: all year for rearing ponds
Fish raised: spring Chinook, coho salmon and winter steelhead
What to see and do: At the hatchery: fingerlings can be viewed year-round. Adult salmon can be seen spawning in Herman Creek September – November.
- Wildlife: birds of prey, fish, wading birds, waterfowl, songbirds
- Facilities: camp host, fishing, ADA accessible, restrooms
- Nearby: The Columbia River Gorge offers numerous fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Directions: Take I-84 to Cascade Locks at exit 44 and drive through town. Cross the eastbound I-84 on-ramp to Frontage Road. Proceed one mile to the hatchery.
Address and Phone:
Oxbow Hatchery
1200 Frontage Road
Cascade Locks, OR 97014
(541) 374-8540
Check out the Latest Recreation Report
Current conditions and opportunities to fish, hunt and see wildlife. Updated weekly by fish and wildlife biologists throughout the state.