Fish and Aquatic Conservation
We work to conserve America's aquatic resources for present and future generations. (Photo: Larry Jernigan/USFWS)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Notice
Although most hatchery lands and outdoor spaces have remained open for the public to enjoy, we encourage you to:
- Check local hatchery conditions before visiting
- Follow current CDC safe practices by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
- Most importantly, stay home if you feel sick
Learn more about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Coronavirus Response.
We work with our partners and engage the public, using a science-based approach,
to conserve, restore
and enhance fish and other aquatic resources for the
continuing benefit of the American people.
Recent News
In Celebration of Fish Migration
October 2020
Enjoy this 4:34 video highlighting fish migration and their 500 mile journey from hatchery to ocean and back!
Dworshak National Fish Hatchery located in Orofina, Idaho raises approximately 5,000,000 fish annually. It is operated collaboratively by the Nez Perce Tribe and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
It’s Fish-O-Lantern Season!
October 2020
Looking for a way to make your pumpkin carving really stand out from the crowd?
Tired of carving the same old Pumpkin King Jack Skellington face over and over again? (Of course you aren’t! Jack Skellington is AMAZING!)
Or maybe you’re like us, and just really, REALLY, love fish.
Four silver carp tagged and released on Mississippi River near La Crosse
October 24, 2020 | Paul A. Smith - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Four silver carp were captured this month in Pool 8 of the Mississippi River near La Crosse.
Rather than kill the destructive invaders, staff with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fitted the fish with acoustic tags and released them back to the river.
On its face, it seems counter to every guidance on aquatic invasive species.
But the action was part of a multi-agency project to monitor the movements of the fish and learn their preferred habitats in the expansive pool.
Ultimately, it is hoped the "Judas" fish will reveal the location of other silver carp and guide netting efforts to remove the undesirable fish before they can strengthen their foothold in the Mississippi River along Wisconsin's western border.
Drought-Stressed Fish in the Colorado River to Benefit from XTO Energy and Other Water Donors
September 2020
PALISADE, CO - Endangered fish relying on flow in the Colorado River near Grand Junction, Colorado, will soon get a welcome boost when additional water in Ruedi Reservoir near Basalt, Colorado, is made available to enhance streamflows during this increasingly concerning drought year.
The Bureau of Reclamation, which owns and manages Ruedi Reservoir, announced the good news on September 19, 2020 that additional water will be made available for endangered fish. This water is the result of collaboration among multiple partners. Foremost among these is XTO Energy (a subsidiary of ExxonMobil), who generously donated 5,000 acre-feet* of water in Ruedi to which they have rights, enabling its release for this purpose. In addition, the Ute Water Conservancy District in Grand Junction, the Colorado River District, and the Town of Palisade have stepped forward and collectively made 3,685 acre-feet of additional Ruedi Reservoir water available for the same need.