Erwin
Erwin, TN 37650
Plan Your Visit
Erwin National Fish Hatchery provides many exciting visitor opportunities for a close up view of the fish production process. Visitors can observe spawning procedures, wildlife, beehives, and pollinator gardens while at the hatchery. For more hands-on activities, enjoy a leisurely picnic, walking the dog, or hiking the nature trail!
The trail is located behind the Unicoi County Heritage Museum. It's approximately 0.5 mile, complete with tree identification tags and wildlife viewing opportunities galore!
We are located on just off of exit 36 on I-26. After you exit off of the interstate head SW (towards Erwin) on Harris Hollow road and take a left at the light on to TN-107. Travel 0.5 mi and turn left just before the large Erwin National Fish Hatchery sign.
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. National fish hatcheries provide many opportunities for you to help your community and fish and wildlife by doing what you love.
Check out our station's latest volunteer opportunities on volunteer.gov!
Services
Established in 1897 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Erwin National Fish Hatchery produces approximately 16 to 20 million disease-free eggs annually from three strains of rainbow trout and one strain of brook trout broodstock. These eggs are shipped to other Federal, State and Tribal hatcheries to support fishery management efforts and recreational fishing. The station also provides eggs to research centers, classrooms, and universities. Broodstock operations are performed in a manner that will preserve or optimize the genetic diversity of hatchery fish. In addition, Erwin is part of long term efforts to restore populations of Southern Appalachian Brook trout and freshwater mussels.
About
Erwin National Fish Hatchery was officially established in 1897 in Erwin, Tennessee, and is located in the valley between Unaka and Buffalo mountains. Since its inception in 1970, it has served as a primary facility in the USFWS National Broodstock Program, responsible for providing approximately 16 million certified disease-free trout eggs annually. The hatchery also coordinates programs for the recovery of endangered species in southern Appalachia, including freshwater mussels and lake sturgeon.