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 tribal trust responsibilities, recover threatened and endangered species, and prevent at-risk species from becoming endangered.
What We Do
Our Services
In 2024, national fish hatcheries distributed 223 million fish and aquatic wildlife to support conservation.
FY 2024 Distribution Breakdown
- 122 million 鈥 Fish or aquatic wildlife stocked by national fish hatcheries.
- 60 million 鈥 Fish or eggs transferred to conservation partners, including states and tribes.
- 41 million 鈥 Fish or aquatic wildlife transferred internally for program support or future release.
Latest Stories and Topics
Stories
Fisheries crews across the Great Lakes basin are gearing up for another season of lake trout stocking. Over a two-month period, millions of lake trout carefully reared year-round in national fish hatcheries will finally make their way back to their home waters. A comeback for lake trout was half a...
Habitat Restoration
With the arrival of spring, we're working with our partners to prepare for our annual lake sturgeon egg takes, one facet of a 40-year-old restoration program that relies on reintroducing fish as its cornerstone. Our efforts in the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi River basins are at the heart of a...
Endangered Species Act
Hurricane Helene, in September 2024, killed 106 people and destroyed more than 1,000 homes across a wide swath of western North Carolina. But there was serious damage, too, below the water lines to the fish, mussels, salamanders and other animals that live largely out of sight.
Greers Ferry National Fish Hatchery receives over a million rainbow trout eggs from August through March to sustain its 16 to 18 month fish production cycle.
Our Partners
Students Experience a Multi-Season, Educational Journey at Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery to Understand the Important role of Salmon in the Watershed
Recreation
Ice fishing season is here, and whether you're chasing walleye, perch, northern pike, or trout, protecting your favorite fishing spots is just as important as landing the big one. Invasive species and diseases don鈥檛 take the winter off. They can spread through bait, gear, and even frozen water,...
