Visit Us
Valley City National Fish Hatchery provides several visitor opportunities for individuals interested in learning more about the Service’s role in resource conservation. The best time of year to visit the facility is in early spring where visitors are sure to see a variety of birds, mammals and best of all, the start of the hatchery fish production season. Throughout the spring, summer, and fall months, visitors have access to a nature trail/pollinator garden, a youth archery range, and a kids fishing pond stocked full of rainbow trout and bluegill. The hatchery has archery equipment and fishing poles that are available to borrow while visiting the facility.
Location and Contact Information
About Us
The Valley City Hatchery is one of two national fish hatcheries responsible for providing quality fishing opportunities in North Dakota and throughout the Great Plains Region. Valley City was originally built for bass and bluegill production. The hatchery site was purchased on July 26, 1938 from the State of North Dakota for the sum of $1.00. Construction was started in 1938 and completed in 1940.
What We Do
The next time you go fishing, you might just catch a fish that was raised at Valley City National Fish Hatchery. Since 1871, national fish hatcheries have been responding to conservation challenges affecting America’s fish and other aquatic species. Producing fish continues to be an irreplaceable tool in managing or restoring fisheries along with habitat conservation. In doing so, we help provide recreation opportunities to America’s 34 million anglers who spend $36 billion annually in pursuit of their favored pastime.
Our Organization
Our Species
The hatchery propagates native fish such as northern pike, walleye, and lake sturgeon and is working on developing a mussel propagation program focused on propagating up to five native mussels such as black sandshell, pink heelsplitter, Wabash pigtoe, threeridge and mapleleaf.