National Fish Hatchery System

Closeup of head of steelhead in breeding colors, caught in net.
Clearwater Fish Hatchery

Explore Fish Hatcheries

The National Fish Hatchery System is a global leader in conservation aquaculture. Across the United States, 71 national fish hatcheries raise and stock millions of fish and aquatic wildlife each year to enhance state and tribally managed recreational fisheries, boost local economic development, fulfill tribal trust responsibilities, recover threatened and endangered species, and prevent at-risk species from becoming endangered.

Find a Hatchery

About Fish Hatcheries

The National Fish Hatchery System was created by Congress on June 10th, 1872 to boost production of food fish to support commercial fisheries and feed families. Over the years, the system has evolved to meet the changing needs of conservation. Today the National Fish Hatchery System is the only national aquaculture program in existence dedicated entirely to the conservation of aquatic species. National fish hatcheries use aquaculture to raise threatened, endangered, or at-risk species in a safe captive environment for eventual release into a natural setting. This work, along with habitat restoration, and other federal protections, can help boost and support wild populations.  

Meet Your National Fish Hatchery System
Learn about our history and conservation efforts.
Two Rainbow Trout
D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery
Sixteen national fish hatcheries in operation are more than a century old, including D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Two men, standing on opposite sides of the embankment alongside a fish raceway, and moving a rectangular net that is stretched out between them. Scale to weigh fish visible in the foreground. Behind them are several more fisheries raceways. In the far background is a road, and beyond that is a forested area.
Fish and Aquatic Conservation
Healthy fisheries and waters are the foundation of America’s outdoor traditions and give us the freedom to fish, boat, and enjoy the benefits of outdoor recreation.
fishing from a boat
Fish Technology Centers
Seven Fish Technology Centers solve problems in hatchery operations and aquatic resource management.
Fish Health Centers
Six Fish Health Centers work on the front lines of helping prevent the spread of aquatic viruses and keeping both wild and hatchery fish healthy.
Woman carries tray of fish to perform fish inspection on wild fish by La Crosse Fish Health Center.

Programs

National Fish and Aquatic Conservation ArchivesA historic 1870's photo shows a line of wooden troughs with a man standing at the rear in bibs and a hat. Behind the man is a hill with trees and two houses on it, and two women wearing white dresses walking up the hill.Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership ProgramRainbow trout at Chattahoochee Forest National Fish HatcheryNational Broodstock Program's Egg Distribution ServiceFish StockingChildren's fishing eventAquatic Invasive Species ProgramA half dozen large silver fish jumping out of the water to a height of six feet.
A bunch of young baby trout swimming.
12 M

threatened or endangered animals released to bolster wild populations and preserve genetic diversity

122 M

fish and aquatic wildlife stocked

60 M

 eggs transferred to conservation partners

Data is updated periodically and this page may not include the most recent information. All data is accurate as of May 2025.