Neosho
Neosho, MO 64850-2322
Plan Your Visit
Neosho National Fish Hatchery grounds and visitor center are open seven days a week. While we believe there is never a bad time to visit the hatchery, we generally don’t have fish in the small ponds from June through September. But there are always fish to feed in the Derby pond.
Visitors to Neosho National Fish Hatchery can view exhibits in the visitor center during open hours. The visitor center boasts several interpretive exhibits, a gift shop, aquariums for viewing fish, and restrooms. The biggest attraction is the large aquarium with a bubble so you can crawl in and get a fisheye view.
Visitors can also walk the Hatchery Springs Trail or the Neosho Fish Hatchery Trail and look at fish in the ponds and raceways. The grounds boast four picnic shelters which can be used for small gatherings. There are also flower beds planted with native plants around the hatchery building and parking lot at 520 Park Street.
In a typical year, the Neosho National Fish Hatchery holds 5 big events on site. An Open House, and 4 fishing derbies. The fishing derbies are targeted for specific groups. One geared towards veterans, one for children, one for senior citizens and people with disabilities, and one for women. Check back often as exact dates of these events are published annually. You can also check our Facebook page for current information as the events get closer.
All these events are free and designed to celebrate the long-standing relationship between this hatchery and our community. 135 years and counting!
Our Visitor Center offers America the Beautiful passes for sale.
Neosho National Fish Hatchery has two entrances. Although the hatchery address is 520 Park Street, the entrance is on McKinney St. /Hwy 86. If you use a GPS to help find your way, to might bring you to the back entrance. If the gate is open you can drive in to reach the parking lot. If not, you will need to drive around the block and enter off of McKinney Street. The large onion dome visitor center is right off McKinney Street (Highway 86) at 619 McKinney Street, Neosho MO 64850. and easy to see.
Activities
More Activities
Featured Species
Get Involved
Neosho National Fish Hatchery has many ways to get involved, from joining our friends group to volunteering or even becoming an intern! Click the link below to read more about these opportunities.
Services
We enhance angling opportunities for the general public by raising rainbow trout for release in Lake Taneycomo. In addition, we raise endangered species such as lake sturgeon, freshwater mussels, and Topeka shiner for recovery efforts. Our visitor center provides information about our history and programs along with providing a wide range of outreach and educational opportunities. Our Visitor Center offers America the Beautiful passes for sale and wheel chairs for visitors to check out and borrow while visiting the facility.
About
Established in 1888, Neosho National Fish Hatchery is the oldest continuously operational federal fish hatchery raising fish today. Our production is predominantly rainbow trout released into Lake Taneycomo to support a lucrative fishery, but we also rear endangered species like the pallid sturgeon and Topeka shiner. Additionally, we are beginning a restoration program for freshwater mussels in the tri-states mining district and are interested in restoring other aquatic species in the Ozark region.