Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium
Mountain-Prairie Region
Gavins Point Public Information: (Photos clockwise from left) Gavins Point Kids Fishing Derby, 5K Fun Run, Youth with a rainbow trout at Kids Fishing Derby

Outreach and Education ProgramsMarv Ehlers explains fish culture techniques to a group of Boy Scouts

Thanks to a small group of dedicated staff and volunteers, the outreach and education programs this year at Gavins Point NFH were a big success.  Throughout most of the spring and summer Marv Ehlers provided up to three tours a day to schools and other organizations. On the weekends volunteers provided hatchery tours and guided nature hikes to thousands of visitors.  Over 100,000 visitors toured the hatchery in 2011.  Some of the public events that were held at Gavins Point NFH were a Kids Fishing Derby, 5K Fun Run and a River Boat Days parade event. The Friends of Gavins Point NFH organized these events and helped provide a high level of service to visitors. To search for volunteer opportunities at Gavins Point NFH visit www.volunteer.gov.

 

 

 

Map

 

Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery map

 

Map Highlights

  1. Aquarium - Thirteen indoor tanks display many of the fish, reptile, and amphibian species found in the Missouri River basin, along with informational displays on endangered, threatened, and unusual species.
  2. Public Parking - for hatchery visitors.
  3. Hatchery Building - Contains a small exhibit area, administrative offices, 2 hatching jar batteries, 9 indoor cement tanks, workshop, and feed room. Visitors are welcome to view the eggs in the hatching jars and the fish being raised in the tanks.
  4. Raceways - Eight outdoor raceways are used to rear trout and to temporarily hold other species.
  5. Rearing Ponds - Six 1/6 acre and 30 1.3-acre earthen ponds are used to for raising cool and warm water fish. Visitors are welcome to walk around the ponds, but please use caution as the ponds are 7 feet deep.
  6. Sturgeon Building - Ten circular tanks are used to hold and rear endangered pallid sturgeon and other "species of concern" from the Missouri River drainage. For the protection of the fish, the building is closed to the public except by guided tours.
  7. Endangered Species Building - Thirty two circular tanks are used to hold and rear endangered pallid sturgeon and other "species of concern" from the Missouri River drainage. For the protection of the fish, the building is closed to the public except by guided tours.