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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Return to Leadville National Fish Hatchery

Projects and Research

Updated May 7, 2026

Currently the Hatchery has the primary brood stock for the state fish of Colorado, the Bear Creek greenback cutthroat. Bear Creek is the sole remaining wild population of greenback cutthroat trout that genetically match South Platte drainage museum specimens from the late 1800’s. Progeny from the captive broodfish held at Leadville National Fish Hatchery will be used to establish additional populations of this extremely rare fish.

 

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