The National Fish Hatchery System raises millions of fish and aquatic wildlife to improve sustainable recreational fishing, support fisheries that have been impacted by a federal dam, recover federally listed threatened or endangered species, fulfill our Tribal Trust responsibilities, and prevent at-risk species from becoming endangered.

What We Do

Our Services

2023 By the Numbers:

  • 126 million - Fish released by national fish hatcheries
  • 49 million - Eggs transferred through the National Broodstock Program
  • 20 million - Fish distributed to Tribal lands
  • 118 million - Sport fish stocked to support state recreational fishing
  • 90 threatened and endangered species – raised on national fish hatcheries
  • 20 million threatened or endangered animals – released to support wild populations and preserve genetic diversity

Latest Stories and Topics

Our Library

A bluish-green fish with brown gills swims above a bed of rocks
In 2023 the National Fish Hatchery System raised and stocked more than 120 million fish and aquatic wildlife for conservation! Since 1872, national fish hatcheries have been raising fish and aquatic wildlife to improve sustainable recreational fishing, support fisheries that have been impacted by a...
A profile view of a green-colored, spotted fish held with two hands.
National fish hatcheries are an important part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s mission to conserve, protect, and enhance, fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats. National fish hatcheries raise threatened, endangered, or at-risk species for eventual release into a natural setting, or to protect...
A jet black, scaly snake with a burnt orange colored face curled up in some grass
Fifty years ago, facing the catastrophic loss of species across the country, the nation passed a landmark law which mobilized a generation of conservation. The Endangered Species Act was a collective commitment to protect and preserve biodiversity across the globe – for all creatures great and...
a big silver colored fish
Just like in human populations, fish diseases can emerge and spread naturally, or they can be unintentionally spread from one population of fish to another. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s fish health centers have launched a new tool to help in the fight to protect wild fisheries.
A boy holds a fish in his hands and smiles at the camera. A person next to him holds a fishing rod an bobber.
Did you know that you can be a super-star conservationist just by going fishing? Whether you prefer fly-fishing on a wild and scenic river, noodling for catfish, or dropping a line in an urban waterway, here are some basics to get you started fishing responsibly!