Visit Us
Green Lake NFH is just one of the many field stations of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service whose mission is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
Visitors are welcome year round at Green Lake NFH and the opportunities available for fish viewing vary throughout the year. From September to April, visitors can see Atlantic salmon parr (3-5 inches in length) and smolts (8 inches in length). From April to August, visitors can see Atlantic salmon fry which range in size from 1 inch, soon after hatching from eggs, to 3 inches length.
There are plenty of recreational opportunities at Green Lake NFH year round also. Come fish in Reed's Brook or Graham Lake or enjoy our nature trail year round to hike, bird, watch wildlife and in winter snow shoe or cross-country ski.
The hatchery is open for visitors and located at:
1 Hatchery Way
Ellsworth, ME 04605
(207) 667-9531
Trails
Open: Year Round
Length: 1.8 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Hikers may park on the side of the hatchery entrance road. Hikers are advised to park before the entrance gate as the gate is locked when the hatchery is closed.
The Hastings Trail begins at an informational kiosk located adjacent to the parking area. The trail is blazed with green diamond markers and meanders through spruce and northern hardwood forests where visitors come upon many of Maine’s unique ecological and historical resources. Nearly all of these forest types have been harvested at some point in the past and are important nesting habitats for a large number of passerine birds. Key points of interest are highlighted with interpretive signs. The trail passes glacial erratics, vernal pools and old cellar holes and rewards visitors with a bench overlooking Green Lake. Spurs in the trail allow visitors access to the hatchery.
Other Facilities in the 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.
Locations
Green Lake NFH is comprised of several buildings for water treatment, fish rearing, offices and public use areas on over 129 acres and is located in Ellsworth in the Downeast region of Maine. Ellsworth is a small city with plenty of small family-owned shops and restaurants, as well as larger retailers, and a microbrewery. Ellsworth is known as the crossroads of Downeast Maine and is 15 miles from Acadia National Park and 30 miles from the city of Bangor.
Directions from Ellsworth, ME
Drive north on Route 1A to junction of 1A and Route 180. Turn right onto Route 180 and travel approximately 4.25 miles until reaching the Hatchery entrance sign on the left. Travel time from Ellsworth is about 10 minutes.
Directions from Bangor, ME
Drive south on Route 1A to junction of 1A and Route 180. Turn leftt onto Route 180 and travel approximately 4.25 miles until reaching the Hatchery entrance sign on the left. Travel time from Bangor is approximately 40 minutes.