Visit Us
Our Visitor/Environmental Education Center was the first of its kind to be built at a Natural Fish Hatchery. It opened to the public in 2006.
Come face to face with the region’s underwater friends, explore karst terrain, see the inner workings of an active honey bee hive, and meet Dale, the lifelike animatronic fish biologist—all by stepping into the unique and exciting exhibit hall at the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery Visitor/Environmental Education Center. Much more awaits the entire family in a fun and engaging educational journey through the center—located on a working trout hatchery at the base of Wolf Creek Dam and beautiful Lake Cumberland. Visitors are welcome to tour the hatchery and fish the well-stocked creek below the hatchery. A theater, gift shop, picnic areas, wheelchair accessible fishing ramp, special events, and nearby camping and lodging make Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery a destination not to be missed.
Our gift shop operated by the Friends of Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, Inc. The shop offers a wide array of books, pins, fishing bait and light tackle, home decorations and more - all designed with an outdoor/environmental education theme in mind. All proceeds from sales in the shop are used to help support the hatchery, its mission and environmental education and outreach needs.
Activities
Hatchery Creek
In 2016, the Service completed an extensive rehabilitation and extension of Hatchery Creek. The creek provides pristine habitat for trout spawning and rearing and features riffles, pools, and runs, as well as a series of step pools for fish to enter from the Cumberland River. It extends over one mile, meandering through various habitats, and providing water/food sources for native wildlife.
Catch your limit in the upper section of the creek or explore the lower stretches with catch and release techniques. The upper section is accessible, equipped with reserved parking for individuals with handicap permits.
The creek is stocked three to four times per week. The creek limit in the Upper Section is five fish per person per day.
KY fishing license & trout permit required for individuals 16 years old and over. Visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for more information.
Kendall Campground
Kendall is a multi-use recreation area enveloping 70 acres alongside the Cumberland River on the downstream side of Wolf Creek Dam, adjacent to Wolf Creek NFH. It is the largest recreation area managed by the Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Cumberland. Because of its amenities and location, it is quite the desirable destination for camping recreation. Making reservations in advance is highly recommended.
Kendall Campground, including Kendall Forest Campground (Kendall Annex), will be open for the 2020 recreation season beginning March 26 and will remain in operation through November 30, 2020. To reserve a site visit recreation.gov, or call 1-877-444-6777. Please contact the Lake Cumberland Resource Manager’s Office at (606) 679-6337 with any questions. To reach the Gatehouse, call (270) 343-4660. Learn more about Kendall Recreation Area.
Hiking and biking
Take the Nature Explorer Hiking Trail Hike or bike the 3⁄4 mile trail, experiencing a variety of habitats just outside the Visitor Center. Challenge yourself with the nature trail scavenger hunt. Check with the front desk in the Visitor Center for more information.
Trails
Take the Nature Explorer Hiking Trail Hike or bike the 3⁄4 mile trail, experiencing a variety of habitats just outside the Visitor Center. Challenge yourself with the nature trail scavenger hunt. Check with the front desk in the Visitor Center for more information.
Nature Explorer Hiking Trail
- Open Season-Year Round
- Length-.75 miles
- Location of Trail-Just past the visitor center and hatchery building
- Surface-Packed dirt and gravel, uneven
- Difficulty-Low to Moderate Intensity
- Information-Leads around to Hatchery Creek
Related Documents
Parking
Anglers are encouraged to park in the main lot in front of Visitor Center. For lower access, use gravel lot off Annex Rd. (from Ray Man Rd). There is limited accessible parking at Upper Hatchery Creek (from Catch a Rainbow Ln). Handicap hang-tag or plate required.
Driving Directions:
From Russell Springs, take US-127 south to Wolf Creek Dam. Take a right at Wolf Creek Dam to the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery.
From Albany, take US-127 north to Wolf Creek Dam. Take a left at Wolf Creek Dam to the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery.
Fees:
There is no fee to visit Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery.
Restrooms:
Restrooms are located inside the Visitor/Environmental Education Center .
Rules and Policies
Rules and Policies
General Regulations
Access to the hatchery trails and lands are open from sunrise until sunset unless otherwise posted. Do not enter areas signed as closed. Please consult the hatchery-specific brochures or contact the visitor center for complete rules and regulations.
Prohibited Activities:
- Vehicles must stay on designated access roads, public roads, and parking areas.
- Handicapped accessible parking is available at Hatchery Creek. Other anglers should park in the main parking lot of the visitors center.
- The use of ATVs, UTVs or golf carts anywhere on the refuge.
- Use of any motorized or mechanical equipment in the hatchery area.
- Drones (UAVs) taking off, landing and/or flying on or over hatchery land.
- Launching, landing or disturbing of wildlife by aircraft (includes drones) at the hatchery; this includes for recreational or commercial purposes.
- Camping, open fires and overnight parking.
- Training pets and allowing pets off leash.
- Abandoning, discarding or otherwise leaving any personal property-all property brought onto a hatchery must be removed at the end of each day and includes, but is not limited to vehicles, boats, fishing equipment, photography equipment, and trash.
- Destructing, defacing, disturbing or unauthorized removal of any natural object, artifact, cultural resource or government property.
- Disposing of animal carcasses, trash, refuse, rocks, wood or other debris.
- Cutting, mowing, sawing, digging, collecting, injuring or removing vegetation.
- Commercial enterprise without a special use permit.
- Use or possession of any illegal drug or drug paraphernalia is prohibited.
- Possession of a firearm inside any building.
Fishing
- Fishing at Hatchery Creek is open year-round.
- Fishing hours are from sunrise to sunset.
- Fishing license and trout stamp required for anyone 16 and older.
- It is divided into two sections, an upper park-like section where anglers can keep up to 5 trout and a lower section which is catch and release only.
- For more information visit: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
In addition to these provisions, all state laws, county codes and federal regulations apply to the hatchery. If you have any questions about the legality of any activity, please contact the hatchery office.