Berkshire National Fish Hatchery

National fish hatcheries raise fish and other aquatic species – like crayfish and mussels - to help restore and sustain important fish and other aquatic species for the benefit of the American people. Freshwater mussels play very important roles in our rivers and lakes filtering the water and creating habitat for fish and aquatic insects fish like to eat. With declining fish populations and declining freshwater mussel populations becoming prevalent across the world, fish hatchery operations are important than ever.

The purposes of Berkshire National fish hatchery include supporting restoration of lake trout populations in the Lower Great Lakes by supplying multiple strains of lake trout eggs to other Federal hatcheries as part of National Broodstock Program. These restoration efforts are part of and supported by partners such as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Great Lakes Fishery Commission and Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. With assistance from the Friends of the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery (formerly the Berkshire Hatchery Foundation), Berkshire national fish hatchery also raises native Brook Trout for stocking in local waterways, public youth and veteran fishing events, and educational programs.