Something fishy is going on here… The Cowlitz Trout Hatchery produces and releases over 1.5 million fish each year. This hatchery is the main contributor of winter-run and summer-run steelhead trout to the Cowlitz River ranked as one of the state’s top steelhead rivers.  Sea-run cutthroat are also released for recreational fishing. The hatchery is located 6 miles downriver from Mayfield Dam on the Cowlitz River. The no-fee Blue Creek boat launch is located near the trout hatchery with a large parking lot, restrooms and ADA-compliant riverside fishing platforms. Access to the area is found at Ethel, just six miles east of I-5 off the White Pass Scenic Byway.