Visit Us
The Valley City National Fish Hatchery has several areas specifically designed to enhance the visitors experience while touring the hatchery. To the east of the main hatchery entrance is a day use area that has a pollinator garden, primitive nature trail, covered picnic areas, and a fire ring. To the west of the main entrance is a day use area complete with a primitive canoe launch, picnic bench/shelter, and charcoal grill area. As you enter the main hatchery grounds visitors will find additional picnic areas around the kids fishing pond. If you are in the mood for a little bit of exercise, visitors are encouraged to walk or run around the gravel roads that shape the hatcheries production ponds. The public use areas at the fish hatchery are open year-round from dawn until dusk. For more information contact the hatchery office at 701-845-3464.
Activities
The Valley City kids fishing pond was renovated in the fall of 2013. Since inception in the early 1940’s the kids fishing pond has been used in several different ways. The pond started out as a lagoon to trap organics from the production ponds to cut down on the amount of organic material that was being discharged into Sheyenne River. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, the lagoon turned into refugia for Canada geese where staff spent many long hours caring for nesting birds and newly hatched goslings. It wasn’t until the mid to late 1990’s that the goose pond was turned into a kids fishing pond. The pond is intended to be used by children under the age of 12 who are accompanied by a parent or guardian. The pond is open for fishing year-round from dawn to dusk. For more information contact the hatchery office at 701-845-3464.
The hatchery constructed a nature trail and pollinator garden on the Earl Pomeroy public use area located just east of the main hatchery entrance. The pollinator garden consists of 350 plants that represent more than 50 species of forbs and grasses native to North Dakota. The idea behind the garden and subsequent trail is to give visitors a clear example of the types of forbs and grasses that occur in the local and surrounding area. As they walk on the trail, they should be able to point out some of those species displayed in the garden. This should be of interest to grade school students or young adults in college.
Other Facilities in the Complex
Locations
The Valley City NFH provides several visitor opportunities for individuals interested in learning more about the Service’s role in resource conservation. The best time of year to visit the facility is in early spring where visitors are sure to see a variety of birds, mammals and best of all, the start of the hatchery fish production season. Throughout the spring, summer, and fall months, visitors have access to a nature trail/pollinator garden, a youth archery range, and a kids fishing pond stocked full of rainbow trout and bluegill. The hatchery has archery equipment and fishing poles that are available to borrow while visiting the facility.
The hatchery is open year around and admission is free. Group tours are available, but please call in advance to ensure that the hatchery can provide your group with the best experience possible. Stop by to see what your National Fish Hatchery is doing for you. We look forward to visiting with you soon!
The facility is located thirty minutes to the east of Jamestown, ND on interstate 94. Take exit 290; turn left at the bottom of the off ramp and continue to Main Street. Turn right and Take Main Street through town (approximately three miles) to Fifth Street. Turn left and head north three miles passing under the historic train bridge and going over the Sheyenne River. Turn left after the grain elevator travel down the road several miles and make a left to enter the facility.