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In the late 1800's and early 1900's, marine fish populations on the east coast and across the country were in decline due to over-harvest, pollution, and habitat destruction. Early fisheries biologists thought that by supplying more young lifestages of fish, populations could be augmented and restored.

As fisheries science matured, it was found that fish culture based on sound genetic principles can be used as an important tool for restoring and conserving fish populations, but it must be accompanied by good water quality and habitat protection. Now, federal agencies have worked together for conservation of fish populations by a) stricter water quality requirements and pollution control, (b) habitat restoration and recovery projects which include wetland restoration, and (c) conservation stocking.Skip navig

The Genoa National Fish Hatchery was founded in 1932 by acting Secretary of Commerce E.F. Morgan on December 28th, 1932. Congress authorized the construction of the hatchery in 1924 by Congress, when the Upper Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Refuge Act was passed. Construction of the hatchery was started in 1932 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a depression era work program created by Franklin Delano Roosevelt during the great depression. The station was completed in 1939.

Genoa first began its mission raising largemouth and smallmouth bass and panfish for the Bureau of Sport Fisheries farm pond program. This program reared and distributed bass and bluegill to local impoundments to create recreational fishing opportunities.

The Genoa site was picked for a federal fish hatchery because of its location on the river allows it to collect wild broodfish every spring as a source of eggs. Also, Genoa has three artesian wells on site, which allow for a large supply of naturally flowing well water to both fill ponds and to rear fish. The close proximity of the Burlington and Northern Railroad was very important to the hatchery in the 1930's and 1940's, as all fish were transported by specially designed rail cars in those days. These railcars had specialized equipment to keep fish and eggs alive during transportation, and were staffed by fish hatchery personnel. The fish car era was responsible for many different species of fish, such as the American shad, ending up on the west coast and rainbow trout migrating to the east coast. In the 1940's, these railcars were phased out and replaced by distribution trucks, trucks with insulated tanks to maintain proper water temperature for fish health.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service