The Feather River Hatchery raises Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. Salmon and steelhead live their lives in the ocean and upon a cue from nature, migrate back to their river of origin to spawn (reproduce). The Feather River Hatchery is in place to mitigate for the loss of spawning habitat in the Feather River and its tributaries that are blocked by Oroville Dam. When salmon swim up the ladder, they are taken into the hatchery building. Eggs are removed from the females and are fertilized with the males. The fertilized eggs are incubated and grown into juvenile salmon (smolts) and are ultimately released back into the wild. Last year over 24,000 adult salmon returned to the hatchery to spawn. Salmon spawning season begins in mid-September and continues until December, with the greatest number of fish returning in October.

Each year thousands of visitors and hundreds of school groups come to the Feather River Hatchery to see the fish and learn about their life cycle. Group tours can be arranged by phoning John Ford at (530) 534-2306. The hatchery has a picnic area, so bring family and friends for a visit soon.