ODFW STEP Program
Community-Driven Conservation:
Indian Creek Hatchery’s Partnership with ODFW
Indian Creek Hatchery, operated by Curry Anadromous Fishermen (CAF), partners with ODFW through the Salmon Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) to support local fish populations. Through hatchery operations, education, and broodstock collection at Huntley Park, CAF plays a vital role in community-driven conservation.
ODFW Statewide 2022-2023 STEP Program Summary
Education and Program Participants
58,117 people
Inventory and Monitoring
297 volunteers
Habitat Improvement
618 miles
Fish Culture: Reared or Released
4.72 million
Seining at Huntley Park with ODFW
Seining is a method used to collect broodstock for hatcheries by capturing fish in a large net, called a seine, which is deployed in a river or stream. The net is stretched out and then pulled in to encircle and gently trap fish, allowing biologists and volunteers to select healthy salmon or trout for hatchery spawning. This process ensures a sustainable population by supplementing natural reproduction and supporting conservation efforts.
Indian Creek Hatchery, operated by Curry Anadromous Fishermen (CAF),
works in partnership with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)
as part of the Salmon Trout Enhancement Program (STEP).
Located in the Lower Rogue Watershed District, CAF focuses on fish rearing and educational outreach, playing a vital role in the conservation and restoration of local salmon and trout populations.
CAF volunteers, many of whom are retired individuals dedicated to hands-on conservation efforts, contribute their time and expertise to hatchery operations. Their work includes raising and releasing salmon, maintaining hatchery infrastructure, collecting broodstock at Huntley Park on the Rogue River, and educating the community about fishery resources. By collaborating with ODFW’s South Coast STEP biologist, CAF ensures that hatchery practices align with state management objectives while fostering public engagement in fisheries conservation.
While CAF primarily focuses on aquaculture and education, Oregon South Coast Fishermen (OSCF), another local STEP group, concentrates on population monitoring, habitat restoration, and broader broodstock collection efforts. Both groups share a commitment to fishery education and frequently collaborate with schools, watershed councils, and other community organizations to promote sustainable fisheries.
Through this partnership between the state and dedicated volunteers, Indian Creek Hatchery continues to be a model of community-driven conservation and stewardship on the Oregon coast.
STEP and Volunteers
The Salmon Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) empowers volunteers to support the conservation of Oregon’s salmon and trout populations through fish rearing, habitat restoration, and education. By staying informed and getting involved, volunteers play a vital role in sustaining healthy fisheries and preserving local watersheds for future generations.