Management and Conservation
The next time you go fishing, you might just catch a fish that was raised at Mora 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.
Mora National Fish Hatchery produces Gila trout. The fish are stocked annually in reservoirs, lakes, rivers and coastal streams across the Gila.
Our Services
Each year the hatchery improves the spawning techniques for the Gila trout creating higher hatch rates. Constant changes to breeding practices lead to increased egg production and corresponding fry hatch rates, which in turn lead to more fish available for recovery and recreational stocking.
Our Projects and Research
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.