Tishomingo 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. 

Several of the species reared at the Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery have never been successfully raised in captivity and little is known about how the species live and reproduce. Hatchery staff and cooperators study the life cycle of listed Arkansas River shiners, leopard darters, alligator snapping turtles, and other imperiled species to improve our ability to support conservation efforts.