Seasons of Wildlife
Seasonal Species Viewing
Due to life histories, many of the species we work with are handled seasonally throughout the year. The following is a generalized time frame of when we typically have animals and plants on site and available for viewing.
- American Shad: Adults, eggs, and fry may be viewed at the hatchery between February and May.
- Atlantic Sturgeon: Can be observed year round. Possible eggs and newly hatched fry available for viewing August and September.
- Red Drum: On site as fry in September, October, and November. Productions ponds may be viewed but the fish held within them are not available for viewing.
- Carolina Gopher Frog: Eggs are collected, hatched and raised through metamorphosis. Some form of the life stage can be viewed between February and July.
- Savannah Lilliput mussel: May be seen on station between May and August.
- Eastern Oyster: Oyster shell collection station is open year round. Reef builds typically occur between May and September.
- American Chaffseed: Can be seen year round.
Featured Species
Bears Bluff National Fish Hatchery currently works with a variety of species: Atlantic sturgeon, American shad, red drum, flathead catfish, white catfish, Savannah lilliput mussel, Yellow lampmussel, Carolina heelsplitter mussel, Carolina gopher frog, American chaffseed, eastern oyster, smooth cordgrass, and milkweed plants.
