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Service Ends Rearing Atlantic Salmon for Connecticut River, Will Focus on Other Species. Read more>> White River National Fish Hatchery (NFH) is a large “state of the art” coldwater fish production facility located in the heart of Vermont near the town of Bethel. Hatchery staff works to support both the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program (since 1978) and the Lower Great Lakes Lake Trout Restoration Program (on an interim and more recent basis). The mission of the hatchery is to produce and release over 5 million Atlantic salmon fry in tributaries throughout the Connecticut River watershed. The hatchery also supplies over 660,000 Lake trout yearlings for stocking Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. State and Federal partners and volunteers help with hatchery activities such as spawning in the fall or Atlantic salmon egg and fry care during the winter months. Volunteers also assist with general maintenance and fish care throughout the summer. The hatchery is the foundation of a “Salmon in the Schools” educational program, supplying over 36,000 eyed-Atlantic salmon eggs for incubation in about 130 schools within and outside the Connecticut River watershed. In addition, many schools and college classes visit the facility throughout the year for guided tours. Hatchery News and UpdatesThe White River National Fish Hatchery is recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Irene. Read more about the damage and our progress. ContactKen Gillette, Hatchery Manager |
