A unique five-way partnership at the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery is living proof of the old adage "many hands make light work". Our partnerships are highly valuable to us and enable us to better our services to the visiting public.
In addition to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, our partners include:
- City of Spearfish
- The Booth Society, Inc.
- South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks
- American Fisheries Society - Fish Culture Section
City of Spearfish
The City assists with public use functions in allowing an entrance kiosk on city park property, allowing visitor parking in an adjacent parking lot, parking lot maintenance, provide law enforcement and fire protection. They provide campground sites with full hookups to our seasonal volunteers. The City administers a portion of its hospitality tax revenue through the Booth Society to promote, market and provide visitor services at the hatchery.
Booth Society, Inc.
The Booth Society, our non-profit citizen based friends group, manages the gift shop, concession, public restrooms and information center. Funds from the gift shop are reinvested into site improvements. The Booth Society is instrumental in organizing special events, help with utility costs for some of the facilities on site, and management of a large summer volunteer staff. For younger visitors they provide educational outreach at the local school systems, developed a youth volunteer program and scavenger hunt. The Booth Society takes volunteer applications year round. Contact the Booth Society at the hatchery.
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks - McNenny State Fish Hatchery
McNenny utilizes our ponds and raceways for rearing fish for public benefit and fish conservation purposes. They coordinate fish production with the D.C. Booth personnel, are responsible for pond stocking, feeding fish, cleaning ponds, monitors pollution and compliance with appropriate laws & regulations, and maintains permits associated with discharges from the facility.
American Fisheries Society - Fish Culture Section
The American Fisheries Society , Fish Culture Section’s Hall of Fame is located in a replica ice house on site. The Fish Culture Hall of Fame honors persons making technological advances in fish culture. Location at the hatchery is due to the hatchery's history, large collection of fish culture artifacts and location of the hatchery in a popular tourist area. Exhibits and information about inductees are displayed. Nominations to the Fish Culture Hall of Fame must be submitted by March.
In, addition, many local volunteer citizens, civic groups, and school groups are actively involved with the hatchery's operations, education, and outreach. These dedicated partners and volunteers keep the treasured D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery available to you, your family, and future generations.
Want to help? We're always looking for helping hands and people with good hearts.
- We could not operate without our volunteers! Ages 11 through senior/retired are welcome to sign up as a volunteer. For commuting volunteers, campsites may be available. Read our Volunteer Program info and fill out a volunteer application today!
- Along with the Hall of Fame, the Fish Culture Section maintains a Brick Walk of Fame. The public can purchase an engraved memorial brick to be placed in the brick walk. For information on nominations to the Fish Culture Hall of Fame or to purchase a brick, email the hatchery.
- Would you like to become a member of the Booth Society, either actively or as an informed participant? Donations collected by the Booth Society help maintain and repair structures on site, provide special projects, and help keep the site open and free to all visitors. Funds collected enabled the Booth Society to commission the Generations statue, depicting family values and importance of fish culture to generations. Another statue will be placed on site representing the history of fish culture. This statue, called Spring Stocking, depicts two hatchery workers stocking fish from a milk can. If you would like to participate as a member, contact the Booth Society at 605-642-5668.
A grant from the National Park Service "Save America's Treasures" provided D.C. Booth with $300,000 in funds matched dollar-for-dollar by our partners.
These funds enabled us to:
- Restore historic rock walls and channels.
- Install alarm, hvac and fire suppression systems in the 1899 Hatchery
- New cedar shakes and areas of rot replaced on the roof of the Hatchery.
- Replace the roofs of the historic stone garages and 1905 Booth House.
- Establish a contract for removal of lead paint and repainting of the Booth House.
- Replace aluminum windows and doors on the Hatchery with wooden doors and windows.
- Replace aluminum storm windows on the Booth House.
