Chinook Spawning Begins at Tumwater Falls

IMG_0458

Lee Pilon of WDFW collecting Male Chinook milt.

On Monday September 21, WDFW staff with some help from Squaxin NR staff began spawning approximatly 100 female and 100 male Chinook at the Tumwater Falls Hatchery.

Will Henderson sorting male and female chinook for spawning

Will Henderson sorting male and female chinook for spawning

IMG_0500

Joe Peters sorting male and female chinook

Joe Peters sorting male and female chinook

IMG_0456

An estimated 500,000 eggs were taken and milt from 100 males to Minter Creek Hatchery for fertilization.   Eventually these fertilized eggs will return to Tumwater Falls Hatchery as Fry.

All spawned fish and surplus fish went to a food bank.

If you have time go check out the spawning of the Chinook Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays  around 8 am to 11 am at the Tumwater Falls Hatchery for the next couple of weeks.

Joe Peters and Will Henderson taking a break from sorting fish

Joe Peters and Will Henderson taking a break from sorting fish

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *