National Fish Hatchery System facilities are visited by more than one million people each year. In addition to offering opportunities for viewing the operations and learning about fish, many hatcheries also provide picnic areas and offer other activities such as fishing, hunting, hiking, sightseeing, nature study, birdwatching, and photography.
National Fish Hatcheries raise aquatic species to help recover endangered or threatened species, improve recreational fishing, and fulfill tribal partnership and trust responsibilities.
The National Fish Hatchery System hatcheries stock 98 million fish every year into rivers and lakes across the country. We raise over 100 different aquatic species, from endangered pallid sturgeons to freshwater mussels.
The basis for our conservation is applied science and technology. Fish Technology Centers assist National Fish Hatcheries by improving conservation techniques and methods. We conduct practical research in animal culture biology, genetics, ecological physiology, nutrition, biometrics and modeling, and cryopreservation.
Nearly one million people visit the National Fish Hatchery System every year for incredible opportunities to hike, bird, fish, visit an aquarium, and learn more about fish conservation.
Our hatcheries and conservation offices partner with our neighboring communities to make a lasting difference.
We partner with schools across the country to bring fish and fishing into the classroom.
