Washington state hatchery to rely on native steelhead trout

INDEX, Wash. (AP) — A fish hatchery in Washington state has said it will stop importing steelhead trout from the Columbia River and instead rely on native fish. The Daily Herald reported that state Department of Fish and Wildlife project coordinator Jim Scott said using fish from the region helps maintain genetic diversity in the Skykomish River near the town of Index. The hatchery is co-managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Tulalip Tribes. It was designed to increase the number of trout by collecting fish to use in the hatchery. The hatchery is expected to open in April. A draft environmental assessment is open to public comment through Monday.