Oldest state-owned hatchery still producing salmon

On the shore of Flathead Lake between Somers and Lakeside is the site of the oldest of Montana's nine state-owned hatcheries. Flathead Lake Fish Hatchery is the only hatchery in the state that from scratch produces kokanee salmon for Montana rivers and lakes.

There are two types of salmon in Montana kokanee, which reside in many Western lakes and rivers, and chinook salmon, which live in Fort Peck Lake and the Missouri River.

Landlocked sockeye kokanee salmon, which is their official name, are considerably smaller than the chinooks. They will get to the three-pound range, depending on feed and...