Lahontan
Gardnerville, NV 89410-7813
Plan Your Visit
Welcome to Lahontan National Fish Hatchery! At the hatchery visitors can learn why the Pilot Peak strain Lahontan cutthroat trout is an iconic species important for restoring to its native waters. Check out our interpretive materials in our visitor center and view our production fish in one of our three banks of raceways. Due to safety and biosecurity concerns we do not allow visitors into our broodstock or rearing buildings without a scheduled tour.
Depending on the time of year you visit the hatchery, you may observe a variety of activities such as spawning, feeding, cleaning, adipose fin clipping and FLOY tagging.
Spawning season is from February to May and normally takes place every Wednesday throughout the season. If you are interested in observing the spawning process (it's pretty unique!) please call ahead to schedule a day. During this time we also have incubating eggs and small fry.
The hatchery is located on the west side of US Highway 395, 5 miles south of Gardnerville, Nevada.
Featured Species
Services
Lahontan National Fish Hatchery produces Pilot Peak strain Lahontan cutthroat trout for recovery and recreational fishing opportunities in the Pyramid, Tahoe and Walker Lake Basins of Nevada and the Eastern Sierra's. The hatchery produces approximately 500,000 Pilot Peak strain Lahontan cutthroat trout annually. These fish are released into their native waters of Pyramid Lake, the Truckee River and Lake Tahoe Basin. We also provide eggs or fish to state and tribal partners for recreational fishing and recovery efforts, and to local schools for outreach and education.
About
Lahontan National Fish Hatchery was constructed in 1967 and plays a pivotal role in protecting and restoring threatened Lahontan cutthroat trout populations in Nevada and the Eastern Sierras. The hatchery maintains the unique Pilot Peak strain, which represents the original lake form that evolved in ancient Lake Lahontan and is the largest inland cutthroat trout in the world. Annually, the facility produces approximately 500,000 fish to support recovery efforts, tribal trust responsibilities, and recreational fishing in the Pyramid, Tahoe, and Walker Lake Basins.