Pittsford National Fish Hatchery Celebrates 100 Years of Service to Region

In 1906, fisheries biologists began rearing Eastern brook trout in 60 wooden troughs on Furnace Brook. Today, in its 100th year of operation, Pittsford National Fish Hatchery raises 200,000 lake trout, a half-million Atlantic salmon, and 5,000 lake sturgeon yearly in 4,000 feet of covered raceways at the North Chittenden, Vt., facility.

"The Pittsford National Fish Hatchery has supported Vermont's fisheries for a century and has been turned to many times to help out across New England and the Great Lakes region," said U.S. Sen. Jim Jeffords, in commenting on the centennial. "The hatchery's production of sturgeon and salmon for species restoration projects further proves its importance to our future. I believe that the Pittsford National Fish Hatchery should continue to produce fish for as long as the Green Mountains supply it with pure spring water."

Early hatch house at Pittsford National Fish Hatchery. Credit: USFWS

"The hatchery has made a major contribution to the fisheries of the Northeast over the years," said hatchery manager Henry Bouchard. "We're happy to recognize the many people who labored to make the hatchery what it is today."

The staff of the Pittsford National Fish Hatchery celebrated their predecessors and a century of service to the Northeast region on Aug. 15 with an open house.

Town Selectman Dave Sargent joined the hatchery staff in unveiling a plaque honoring former employees. After the brief ceremony, hatchery staff led tours of the hatchery's rearing facilities and displays. Light refreshments were served, and visitors viewed the large salmon and trout in the display pond.

Brian Keefe, representing Sen. Jeffords, presents a flag flown over the nation's capitol to hatchery manager Henry Bouchard in honor of Pittsford's centennial. Credit: USFWS

Stocking in Nine States

During its 100 years of operation, Pittsford hatchery has supplied fish for stocking in nine Northeastern states.

Pittsford began supplying landlocked Atlantic salmon and lake trout for the Lake Champlain Restoration Program in 1980. The two species had gone extinct in the lake around the turn of the century. Today, the lake's thriving fishery supports a $50 million per year recreation industry.

The hatchery continues to raise lake trout and Atlantic salmon for release into the Great Lakes as well as the Connecticut River.

Some of the Pittsford hatchery's most important work includes supplying 2-year-old Atlantic salmon for the Connecticut River and its tributaries. Due to river damming, deteriorating water quality and other factors, Atlantic salmon had nearly disappeared from the river altogether by the mid-1800s. Pittsford has supported the Connecticut River Atlantic salmon restoration project for 40 years.

A plaque unveiled at the open house dedicates the facility to the memory of past hatchery staff. Credit: USFWS

The newest rearing program at Pittsford supplies lake sturgeon for release into the St. Lawrence River and the Finger Lakes of New York. The lake sturgeon is a threatened species in that state.

Pittsford is one of the most cost-efficient hatcheries in the nation, due in part to the pure, gravity-fed water supply from Furnace Brook. The gravity fed water supply from the brook is exceptionally pure, so pumping and associated costs are also not required. The water temperature fluctuates seasonally, which results in fish better adapted to their natural environment than fish raised in sterile constant temperature water their entire lives.