Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery raises trout species - from egg stage to adult stage - and distributes them to reservoirs across Colorado and New Mexico to mitigate the effects of dams and other water projects on fish species within the Colorado River basin.

Visit Us

Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery provides many exciting visitor opportunities and supports local communities. Visit us for a close-up view of the fish production process. With over 7,500 visitors annually, the friendly dedicated staff will normally be available to answer any questions while you explore the Visitor Center and raceways. Educational programs/tours are provided for the public and school groups during business hours when scheduled in advance. A short, wheelchair-accessible, self-guided tour is available at the hatchery as well.

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Fish Hatchery System. This system has the unique responsibility of helping restoration of native aquatic populations, mitigating fisheries loss as a result of federal water projects, providing fish to benefit Tribes and the National Wildlife Refuges, and recovering species listed under the Endangered Species Act.

      What We Do

      Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery produces about 600,000 trout every year and distributes them to reservoirs in southwestern Colorado and northern New Mexico to restore and protect fish populations within the Colorado River basin. The hatchery also partners with other agencies and organizations to bring outreach to the community.

      Our Organization

      150 Years. National Fish Hatchery System.” in front of glossy orange eggs against a white background.
      The National Fish Hatchery System works to support healthy, self-sustaining populations of fish and other aquatic species across the country. Every year we raise and stock over 100 million fish to support the recovery and restoration of imperiled species, recreational fishing, and Tribal...

      Our Species