The Whitman Lake Hatchery, operational since 1978, serves as a production and central incubation facility. The hatchery is located at Herring Cove in George Inlet, approximately 15 kilometers south of Ketchikan. The hatchery is approved for the production of chum, coho, and Chinook salmon. Release sites are at the hatchery in Herring Cove, Neets Bay, Anita Bay near Wrangell, Nakat Inlet, and Kendrick Bay.

Chum salmon, both summer and fall stocks, are spawned at the Neets Bay Hatchery. A portion of the eyed summer chum eggs is transported to Whitman Lake Hatchery for incubation, rearing and eventual release at a number of remote sites. Summer chum eggs are also incubated at Neets Bay and fry are transported to Anita Bay for rearing and release. Fall chum eggs are incubated at Neets Bay and fry are transported to Nakat Inlet for rearing and release.

Fall coho and Chinook salmon are spawned predominately at the Whitman Lake Hatchery.  A portion of the eggs is retained at Whitman Lake for release as future brood stock and at various remote sites. Coho eggs are transferred from Whitman Lake Hatchery to the Neets Bay Hatchery, coho smolts are transported to marine net pens in Neets Bay each spring for rearing and release. Chinook smolts are transported to Neets Bay each spring for marine pen rearing and release.

Mark Tollfeldt, Assisant Manager to left, Jay Creasy, Manager right.

Fish Culturists (left to right), Travis Peterson, Bill Gass, Michelle Leitz