Berkshire
New Marlborough, MA 01230
Plan Your Visit
The Berkshire National Fish Hatchery is a cold-water aquaculture facility that lies on 148 acres in Berkshire County, in northern New Marlborough, Massachusetts. The site is located approximately six miles east of Great Barrington and roughly six miles southwest of Tyringham. The hatchery's primary mission is supporting the restoration of lake trout populations in the Lower Great Lakes by supplying lake trout eggs to other federal hatcheries and rearing native brook trout for stocking in local waterways to support recreational fishing and educational programs. The hatchery contains a shop, a fish-rearing hatchery including ten circular pools, two raceways, and three ponds, trails for recreational use, an outreach pond, and visitor parking areas. Come visit us to explore our grounds and learn more about the amazing conservation work we do!
The Berkshire National Fish Hatchery is located on the east side of Hatchery Road approximately one-half mile north of Hartsville in the northwestern portion of the township of New Marlborough. Situated on a 148-acre tract of land, the property spans across the township line between New Marlborough and Monterey and is characterized by steep hills, minimal level topography, and dense mature forests. The Konkapot River flows through the western-most portion of the property, along the west side of Hatchery Road. The hatchery complex is situated in the southwest corner of the tract and consists of six primary buildings as well as associated structures including 10 concrete rearing pools, a raceway, four ponds, and memorial monument.
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. National fish hatcheries partner with volunteers, youth groups, landowners, neighbors and residents of both urban and rural communities to make a lasting difference.
Working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
Services
Berkshire National Fish Hatchery supports the restoration of lake trout populations in the Lower Great Lakes by supplying lake trout eggs to other federal hatcheries and rearing native brook trout for stocking in local waterways. Our hatchery is part of a national effort to re-establish sustainable, healthy populations of native lake trout to the Great Lakes. We produce upwards of 1.2 million fertilized Seneca lake wild strain lake trout every year. Our conservation efforts both enhance the lake trout population and habitat, but also provide recreational fishing opportunities to anglers in the area.
About
Since the late 1800s, the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery has worked to protect and restore native species, uniquely operating as the only federal hatchery once run entirely by volunteers. Today, it partners with the Berkshire Hatchery Foundation to restore Seneca strain lake trout to the Great Lakes and provide native brook trout for local recreation. The hatchery supplies over one million fertilized eggs annually to support restoration efforts in Lakes Ontario and Erie.