Hagerman National Fish Hatchery
Site Overview
The hatchery consists of three separate areas that are used for incubation and early rearing of steelhead and rainbow trout. In late-summer when the fish reach the fingerling stage, they are marked, tagged and moved from their early rearing units to outdoor raceways. The hatchery uses water that emanates from nearby springs that supply a constant 59℉ temperature year-round. Four permanent hatchery personnel and multiple temporary staff work at the hatchery year-round.
Visitors
Hagerman National Fish Hatchery is a popular stopping point in the Hagerman Valley. The hatchery is open to the public in designated areas daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Large group tours can be arranged with advanced notice by calling (208) 837-4896. There is no charge to visit the hatchery.
Species Production
The hatchery’s steelhead trout mitigation goal is 1.56 million. Each June, the hatchery receives eyed steelhead trout eggs from the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery, and the fish remain on the station until the following April when they reach the smolt stage. At this time they are transported and released back into the Salmon River and East Fork Salmon River. The hatchery’s rainbow trout mitigation goal is 20,000 pounds of rainbow trout. The hatchery receives rainbow trout eggs from Hayspur Fish Hatchery. These fish are released as sterile catchable-sized trout each year into Magic Valley regional waters.
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Learn more about these fish and others in our fish identification section.
3059 National Fish Hatchery Road
Hagerman, ID 83332
(208) 837-4896