Allegheny
Plan Your Visit
Depending on the time of year you visit the hatchery, you may observe a variety of activities:
- April and May: In the spring we are stocking fish. We typically load trucks between 4:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on various days. To visit during this time and observe hatchery operation please call ahead for dates and times.
- June and July: During the summer months we raise and feed young fish. This is the best time to visit us! Visiting hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- August and September: Throughout late summer we tag and fin-clip fish for lake survival and growth studies using automated machinery.
- October and November: In the fall we are receiving eggs from partner hatcheries. This is another great time to visit to see our methods of egg rearing.
- December through March: Throughout the winter we incubate the eggs at the hatchery and rear the young fry.
Activities
Allegheny National Fish Hatchery is on the Allegheny River. Though fishing is not permitted in the hatchery, it provides shore angler access, when requested to a designated area of the Allegheny River. Fishing downstream from the Kinzua Dam yields some of the largest freshwater fish (trout, walleye, bass, muskellunge) in North America.
No bird blind is currently available, however there are frequent sightings on site. Species such as bald eagles, killdeer, osprey, mallards and swallows are common occurrences for viewing.
The hatchery has a public parking area for anglers, birders and tours. Adjacent to the hatchery, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provides a fishing platform and comfort station.
From US-62
Head south on US-62 S/Market Street
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Ave W
Turn left onto Hemlock Road before you cross the Allegheny River
The Hatchery will be located at the end of the road near the base of the Kinzua Dam
From US-6
Head towards Warren, PA
Turn onto Pennsylvania Ave E and cross the Allegheny River
Immediately after crossing the river turn right onto Hemlock Road
The Hatchery will be located at the end of the road near the base of the Kinzua Dam
Activities
Featured Species
Get Involved
Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. Allegheny National Fish Hatchery can provide opportunities for you to help your community and fish and wildlife by doing what you love.
VOLUNTEERING
Discover for yourself what tens of thousands of volunteers have learned: Volunteering for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is fun and rewarding in many ways. Master new skills. Meet new friends. Enjoy a sense of accomplishment from doing your part to further wildlife conservation for the pleasure of generations to follow. Check out our station's latest volunteer opportunities on volunteer.gov or by contacting the acting hatchery manager, Doris Mason at doris_mason@fws.gov or call +1-814-726-0890.
OUTREACH
Alleghany National Fish Hatchery helps provide local communities and states in outreach events. Call us to schedule or see current outreach events +1-814-726-0890!
Services
Currently, the hatchery produces lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), bloaters (Coregonus hoyi), and Cisco (Coregonus artedi). Lake trout are produced for Lake Erie and America. The bloaters are only produced for Lake America and cisco are produced for Lake Erie. These species were once robust in their respective environments. Due to overfishing and predation from non-native sea lamprey drastically reduced lake trout stocks. The bloater’s and cisco's decline were associated with the invasion of Alewives and Rainbow Smelt in the great lakes from the passing through of the welland canal to bypass the Niagara Falls, as well as sea lamprey predation and pollution.
About
The Allegheny National Fish Hatchery in Warren, Pennsylvania, produces lake trout, bloaters, and cisco to restore native species in Lakes Erie and America. Founded in 1959 and beginning production in 1975, the hatchery is located on 45 acres of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land near the Kinzua Dam.
The hatchery is one of 11 National Fish Hatcheries throughout the Northeast Region working to restore, enhance and maintain heritage fisheries for the American people. The hatchery produces healthy fish for stocking. The ultimate goal of the stocking and restoration program is to restore "self-sustaining" fish populations within the ecosystem, where we no longer need to supplement the fisheries with fish produced at the hatchery.