About Us

Green Lake National Fish Hatchery Entrance
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Since 1871, the National Fish Hatchery system has been at work improving recreational fishing and restoring aquatic species that are in decline, at risk, and are important to the health of our aquatic systems. Across the country, the network of National Fish Hatcheries work with states and tribes to conserve, restore and enhance the fish and aquatic resources of America for future generations.

Green Lake National Fish Hatchery is a large-scale cold water hatchery located in Downeast Maine. Built in 1973, the mission of the hatchery has changed from providing sport fish for New England waters, to a conservation hatchery dedicated to raising river-specific strains of healthy Atlantic salmon for recovering endangered Atlantic salmon to Gulf of Maine rivers. Three out of every four Atlantic salmon returning to U.S. waters come from Green Lake National Fish Hatchery.

Our Mission

Hatchery pool full of Atlantic salmon smolts
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Hatchery pool full of Atlantic salmon smolts

Since 1871, National Fish Hatcheries have been applying science-based approaches to conservation challenges. We work with our partners and engage the public to conserve, restore, and enhance fish and other aquatic resources for the continuing benefit of the American people. Conservation is at the heart of what we do, and we recognize that we do this work for the American people–both the present generation who benefit today and future generations who will inherit our legacy of conserving America’s aquatic resources.

Green Lake National Fish Hatchery was established in 1973 to support the restoration of Atlantic salmon in New England. Today, Green Lake plays a vital role in raising Atlantic salmon for conservation and research efforts. 

Other Facilities in this Complex

Green Lake NFH belongs to a broader complex of FWS facilities known as the Maine-New Hampshire Fish and Wildlife Complex. The complex is comprised of 7 offices, including three national fish hatcheries. Collectively, we conserve the unique fish and wildlife of Maine and New Hampshire such as wood ducks, eagles, plovers, songbirds, cougar, lynx, brook trout, salmon and alewife.

Thousands of vibrant orange Atlantic salmon eggs show small black eyes
Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery
Craig Brook NFH currently functions as a conservation hatchery for the last remaining natural populations of Atlantic salmon in the United States for seven river specific brood stocks.
National Fish Hatchery
East Orland,ME
Brook trout fry waiting to be measured
Nashua National Fish Hatchery
The Nashua National Fish Hatchery is one of the oldest national fish hatcheries still operating today, established in 1898. Programs at the hatchery support Atlantic salmon, landlocked salmon, American shad and other aquatic species restoration efforts in many New England waterbodies.
National Fish Hatchery
Nashua,NH
Maine stream
Maine Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office
The Maine Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office strives to restore fish habitat throughout our rivers in Maine, for freshwater and sea-run migratory fishes, through collaboration with local, state and tribal partners.
Conservation Office
East Orland,ME
Piping plover on sandy beach
Maine Ecological Services Field Office
Welcome to the Maine Field Office Website. Our goal here is to provide you with information about what your U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Maine Ecological Services Office is doing for you and for the fish and wildlife in our area of responsibility, the State of Maine.
Conservation Office
East Orland,ME
Brook trout
Central New England Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office
The Central New England Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (FWCO) was established to plan, conduct and evaluate fish and wildlife management activities and aquatic resource restoration initiatives in cooperation with state, federal and non-government organizations. 
Conservation Office
Nashua,NH
New England tidal marsh on a sunny day along the coast
Gulf of Maine Coastal Program
Welcome to the main web page of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Gulf of Maine Coastal Program. We work with public and private partners to conserve and restore important habitat for fish and wildlife resources in the Gulf of Maine Watershed.
Conservation Office
Falmouth,ME