Chattahoochee Forest
Suches, GA 30572-3906
Plan Your Visit
Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery is nestled deep in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of northern Georgia, approximately 75 miles north of Atlanta. Surrounded by the 749,444 acre Chattahoochee National Forest, the hatchery occupies a 44.8 acre tract of land straddling Mill Creek and Rock Creek, which are tributaries of the Toccoa River.
The natural environment and beautiful surroundings draw thousands of visitors to Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery each year. The hatchery’s visitor kiosk and opportunity to view trout in various stages of production prove to be great attractions. Admission is free. Rock Creek, which runs through hatchery property, offers an exciting trout fishing experience for first-time and seasoned anglers. A Georgia fishing license and trout stamp are required for anglers ages 16 and older. U.S. Forest Service campgrounds are located nearby the hatchery.
Individuals must bring their own fishing gear and bait, license and trout stamp which can be purchased at local stores.
The hatchery is located in Fannin County, GA, near Suches within the Chattahoochee National Forest and Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area and is approximately a 2 hour drive north of Atlanta. Towns with motels, restaurants and stores nearest to the hatchery include Blue Ridge, Blairsville and Dahlonega, GA.
From Morganton, GA:
Take GA Hwy 60 South to Rock Creek Road. Turn right onto Rock Creek Road and go 5 miles to the hatchery.
From Dahlonega, GA:
Take GA Hwy 60 North to Rock Creek Road. Turn left onto Rock Creek Road and go 5 miles to the hatchery.
GPS and cell phones do not work in the area surrounding the hatchery. Please call the hatchery office 706-838-4723 in advance for more information about driving directions.
Activities
More Activities
Featured Species
Get Involved
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has opportunities for volunteers, partners and youth. Opportunities include assisting with maintenance, animal care and fishing events at Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery. Many join the Friends Group to support the mission and promote conservation ethics.
Services
Chattahoochee Forest NFH is a cold-water production facility that raises trout year-round. Species produced here include rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout. In cooperation with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, Corps of Engineers and Tennessee Valley Authority, the fish are stocked in public waters throughout northern Georgia for recreational and mitigation purposes. In addition to fish aquatics, the hatchery is involved with conservation of the swamp pink plant, purple pitcher plant and monarch butterfly and efforts to conserve the bog turtle and eastern hellbender in partnership with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
The hatchery produces approximately one million trout annually for stocking into public waters. It provides significant economic impact through recreational angling expenditures and offers environmental education and outreach programs, including on-site tours and off-site presentations to school groups and agencies.
About
Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery is one of 83 facilities in the National Fish Hatchery System, established in 1937 to maintain fish populations in public waters. Located in Fannin County, the "Trout Capital of Georgia," the hatchery raises rainbow, brook, and brown trout for mitigation and recreational stocking. The facility utilizes a combination of indoor troughs for early life stages and 46 outdoor concrete raceways for rearing stockable-sized fish.