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As part of the Flags Across America initiative for America’s 250th anniversary, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is sharing stories from the places where our commemorative flags have traveled. From historic hatcheries to vibrant refuges, each stop celebrates conservation as an enduring American value. Join us as we highlight the lands, waters, and wildlife that connect our nation’s past, present, and future.
Small jobs don’t exist at Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery, and in some cases we mean that literally.
The hatchery in Oklahoma, where the flags visited in April 2026, raises paddlefish and alligator gar, two of the largest freshwater fish in the United States.
Both these fish have been around for a while. Ancestors of the American paddlefish lived in modern day North America about 125 million years ago. Scientists can trace the alligator gar back 100 million years in the fossil record.
Both these fish have been around for a while. Ancestors of the American paddlefish lived in modern day North America about 125 million years ago. Scientists can trace the alligator gar back 100 million years in the fossil record.
That’s not the only big species. “Tish,” as the locals call it, has a captive-breeding program for the largest freshwater turtle in the United States, the alligator snapping turtle. It’s known for its powerful jaws, spiked shell, and worm-like tongue it uses to lure prey.
The hatchery has also worked with several threatened species that aren’t so big, at least by measurement. The 2-inch Arkansas River shiner and 3.5-inch leopard darter may not be as giant as the alligator gar but have important roles in the food web and in our ecosystem.
Finally, the hatchery raises channel catfish, largemouth bass, and several sunfish species to support fishing on military bases, national wildlife refuges, and tribal lands.
The hatchery also sponsors a community-wide Fishing Derby event each year where kids aged 6 to 12 can fish in a stocked pond and receive prizes. Fishing for the whole family is also available in nearby Pennington Creek at the hatchery's public fishing access year-round.
After a day of angling in the Creek, why not walk Tishomingo’s Nature Trail to see some birds – including an adult pair of bald eagles that nest each spring or the granite outcroppings and waterfalls along the Creek. You can also visit the hatchery itself and see the various life stages of the big species they raise.
Next up, we follow the flags to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in northern Utah, with its water-dancing birds. Stay tuned for the next chapter on this historic tour!
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