What We Do
Our hatchery is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Fish and Aquatic Conservation program. The Fish and Aquatic Conservation program works throughout the country to restore habitat across the landscape, prevent and control invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species , assist Native American Tribes and other partners in managing their fish and wildlife resources, advance fisheries and aquatic sciences and technologies, foster outdoor recreational opportunities, educate the public on the economic and ecological benefits of aquatic species and their habitats, and address new and emerging challenges–such as climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.
Learn more about climate change .
Management and Conservation
The next time you go fishing, you might just catch a fish that was raised at our hatchery! Since 1871, national fish hatcheries have been responding to conservation challenges affecting America’s fish and other aquatic species. Producing fish continues to be an irreplaceable tool in managing or restoring fisheries along with habitat conservation. In doing so, we help provide recreation opportunities to America’s 34 million anglers who spend $36 billion annually in pursuit of their favored pastime.
Our Projects and Research
National fish hatcheries raise fish and other aquatic species – like crayfish and mussels - to help restore and sustain important fish and other aquatic species for the benefit of the American people. Freshwater mussels play very important roles in our rivers and lakes filtering the water and creating habitat for fish and aquatic insects fish like to eat. With declining fish populations and declining freshwater mussel populations becoming prevalent across the world, fish hatchery operations are important than ever.
The purposes of Berkshire National fish hatchery include supporting restoration of lake trout populations in the Lower Great Lakes by supplying multiple strains of lake trout eggs to other Federal hatcheries as part of National Broodstock Program. These restoration efforts are part of and supported by partners such as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Great Lakes Fishery Commission and Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. With assistance from the Friends of the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery (formerly the Berkshire Hatchery Foundation), Berkshire national fish hatchery also raises native Brook Trout for stocking in local waterways, public youth and veteran fishing events, and educational programs.