What types of fish can be found at Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery (NFH)?
Native species like walleye, northern pike, pallid sturgeon, shovelnose sturgeon and non-native fishes such as chinook salmon, and brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout, are raised at Garrison Dam NFH annually, each for specific stocking purposes. Some fish require annual stockings to maintain a balanced population. Lakes that have poor habitat or water quality, have experienced winterkill, or even those that are fished excessively are good examples.
Another situation where annual stockings are necessary includes rivers that have been altered by dam construction. The reservoirs created by dams have radically changed habitat and many experience significant water level fluctuations. Many of these altered reservoir habitats are stocked with non-native trout and salmon because the deep coldwater reservoirs are not suited for the survival of native riverine species. Native species such as the pike or walleye may successfully inhabit some areas of the reservoir but often are not able to spawn successfully as a result of water level management designed to provide flood control, hydropower or navigation. Other fish species that are occasionally produced here at Garrison Dam NFH include paddlefish, yellow perch, sauger, burbot, muskellunge, crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and bluegill. Click on the name below to see a photo of each fish species.
| Native fish species | Non-native fish species | Other fish species |
| Northern pike | Brown trout | Bluegill |
| Pallid sturgeon | Chinook salmon | Burbot |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | Cutthroat trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Walleye | Rainbow trout | Paddlefish |
| Sauger | ||
| Smallmouth bass | ||
| Yellow perch |
Last updated: January 13, 2012
Garrison Dam Home |
Species |
Hiking Trails
|
