The 2023-2024 spawning season has begun at Erwin National Fish Hatchery! The season kicked off on July 11th when staff began spawning the EED (Erwin x Arlee) strain of rainbow trout. Eggs collected from the trout are incubated at the hatchery for two weeks before they are shipped to federal, state, and tribal hatcheries across 18 different states. Additionally, Erwin NFH also produces eggs from the Arlee and Fish Lake strains of rainbow trout, along with the Sandwich strain brook trout.
Last year Erwin NFH had a record-breaking egg production. Approximately 17 million eggs were produced and shipped to our partners, and we expect to ship even more this year! Once they arrive at their destination these eggs will be hatched, grown out, and released to enhance recreational fishing and support conservation efforts around the country. Here's to another great spawning season!