Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force
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Wild Wynoochee Coho
Born of necessity, the Wild Wynoochee Coho project began on a tributary of the Wynoochee River. The prime objective of the project is to stop wild Wynoochee Coho from straying up Van Winkle Creek to spawn in the effluent from the Wynoochee Dam pipeline. The process would begin with wild Coho eggs from the Aberdeen Hatchery. The Coho are then eyed and placed in a hatchery box on an unnamed creek approximately 6 miles from State Route 12 on Geissler Road. Upon hatching the fry migrate to a tank, ten feet in diameter, where they are fed for 60 to 90 days. These native Coho fry are then out-planted in feeder streams along the Wynoochee River. Local Boy Scout troops man the project on a volunteer basis under the direction of the project manager, Brad Berry. The Berry Family, the Washington State Trollers Association and the Washington Department of Fisheries are project sponsors. The Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force has been an active participant since 1989.