Established in 1939, Creston National Fish Hatchery in northwest Montana was the first and only hatchery to raise endangered bull trout.

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Open to the public, Creston National Fish Hatchery is in the beautiful Flathead Valley approximately 15 miles east of Kalispell and 36 miles south of Glacier National Park. The hatchery sits at the base of the Swan Mountain Range and is surrounded by prime agricultural farmland which provides a picturesque setting for raising fish and providing educational opportunities on the forested grounds.

Location and Contact Information

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      Fishing at Creston hatchery
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      Established in 1939, Creston NFH originally provided fingerling trout for Glacier National Park. Today, the hatchery stocks fish on tribal lands, for mitigation purposes, to restore native fish and for outreach at kids fishing ponds.

      What We Do

      Creston National Fish Hatchery currently raises two strains of rainbow trout; Eagle Lake and Arlee, and one strain of westslope cutthroat trout; Montana MO12. Annually Creston stocks approximately 750,000 rainbow and 250,000 westslope cutthroat trout, all within the State of Montana. Currently on hold, the hatchery hopes to begin producing native bull trout in 2025.

      Our Organization

      A man is fishing in a boat with three young girls. The kids are excitedly pulling a fish out of the water.
      Healthy fisheries and waters are the foundation of America鈥檚 outdoor traditions and give us the freedom to fish, boat, and enjoy the benefits of outdoor recreation. The Fish and Aquatic Conservation programs work with states, tribes, and communities to provide a comprehensive approach to freshwater...
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      Falls Church,VA
      Orange fish eggs on a white background.
      The National Fish Hatchery System is a global leader in conservation aquaculture. Across the United States, 71 national fish hatcheries raise millions of fish and aquatic wildlife each year to enhance state and tribally managed recreational fisheries, boost local economic development, fulfill...
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      Our Species