Our Services

Rainbow Trout Broodstock Production 

We produce disease free eggs for the National Broodstock Program to mitigate areas impacted by federal water projects. Between six and eight million rainbow trout eggs are shipped annually to 20 different federal, state and tribal hatcheries as far north as Maine and as far west as New Mexico. The eggs are then hatched, raised and stocked in lakes and streams across the country. These eggs are provided to federal, tribal, and state hatchery partners to produce a catchable size trout that support recreational fishing opportunities. After the eggs are shipped, the hatchery provides over 13,000 retired rainbow trout to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for stocking.

Small orange fish eggs on a white background.
National Broodstock Program’s Egg Distribution Service

The National Broodstock Program was established in 1970 to support healthy sustainable fisheries in waterways across the country. Every year the National Broodstock Program provides about 60 million fish eggs that are hatched and raised by our partners to meet their conservation and management...

Service
Fish Stocking

Our Projects and Research

A person holds fifteen mussels in an open hand. The mussels have small blue tags.
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Native Crayfish Propagation

Propagate imperiled native crayfish for recovery. Develop and implement captive holding, propagation, and reintroduction techniques as a critical component of crayfish recovery. Captive propagation and holding in refugia is needed in order to reduce the threat of extirpation from industrial spills and catastrophic events.

Freshwater Mussel Propagation for Restoration

Freshwater mussels help maintain water quality through their filter-feeding and help create stable habitat for other animals that live on the bottom of lakes and rivers. They also are one of the most imperiled groups of animals in the United States. At least seventy percent of all species are in decline with 30% federally listed as threatened or endangered. The main reasons for their decline are poor water quality and habitat loss. Propagation and stocking into restored historical habitats are vital tools being used by the Service and partners to assist with the recovery of many freshwater mussels, and to restore dwindling populations in order to prevent their listing. The White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery is working to restore the following species.

  • Black sandshell (Ligumia recta)  
  • Salamander Mussel (Simpsonaias ambigua)         
  • Pistolgrip (Tritogonia verrucosa)