1985 to Present

In 1980, Congress passed the Northwest Power Act. One component of the act addresses the impact on fish and wildlife from hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River. Specifically, the act called for the creation of the Northwest Power Planning Council (now called the Northwest Power and Conservation Council) to recommend projects that mitigate the effects of the Columbia River hydropower system on fish and wildlife. These projects are recommended to the Bonneville Power Administration for funding through the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program.

In the Northwest Power Planning Council's 1987 Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program (NPPC 1987), the Council recommended that the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) support construction of two kokanee salmon hatcheries to enhance the Lake Roosevelt fishery. Although not initially mentioned, rainbow trout were added before completion of the hatcheries. Currently, the Lake Roosevelt Hatcheries Coordination Team facilitate the hatchery production programs on the reservoir. This group is a cooperative effort between the Spokane Tribe of Indians, Colville Confederated Tribes, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Eastern Washington University, and the Lake Roosevelt Development Association (now known as the Net Pen Program). The purpose of the Lake Roosevelt Hatcheries Coordination Team is to develop a collaborative multi-agency artificial production program as a mitigation measure to restore and enhance kokanee salmon and rainbow trout populations in Lake Roosevelt. Since 1987, annual funding from BPA's Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program (CBFWP) has been instrumental in developing a robust, harvestable fishery in Lake Roosevelt. Hatchery and other programs supported by BPA's CBFWP are described below.

Additionally, the Lake Roosevelt Fisheries Evaluation Program was formed to monitor the success and effects of the hatchery programs, as well as monitor and facilitate research of other fishes of importance found in the reservoir. This group is a cooperative effort between the Spokane Tribe of Indians, Colville Confederated Tribes, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Eastern Washington University. See below for additional information.