Written By
Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery, located in Maine, is the oldest public salmon hatchery in the United States and has become a destination for locals and tourists alike due to the many recreational opportunities surrounding the hatchery as well as our visitor center. Our visitor center offers the public the opportunity to learn about our long history of Atlantic salmon conservation, Atlantic salmon and other local fish species, as well as the history of Maine flyfishing.
For close to twenty years the focal point of Craig Brook’s visitor center was the ‘Living Stream’, a custom-made water feature that housed young Atlantic salmon in an easily accessible, nature-like pool. Us hatchery folk love fish but we recognize that it’s not easy to see and appreciate them. The Living Stream allowed visitors of all ages and accessibilities to appreciate Atlantic salmon up close and learn about their habitat needs and life history.
During the Covid-19 pandemic public access to our visitor center was limited and the Living Stream fell into disrepair. Since the beginning of 2024 Craig Brook NFH has seen an increase in visitation and requests for tours that match, or exceed, pre-pandemic levels. The time was right to re-envision the Living Stream.
Craig Brook NFH received a small grant and was able to purchase a custom-built fiberglass tank, head-tank, and waterfall to replace the degraded wooden and fiberglass materials. Craig Brook NFH’s maintenance staff, with assistance from volunteers and interns, removed the existing display and have begun the construction of a platform upon which the tank will rest.
The new Living Stream will be set lower to the ground, and provide access points for visitors with mobility issues, to enhance viewing of the Atlantic salmon.
The tank will be coated with a natural stone-like material and decorated with driftwood, rocks, and other materials preserved from the original display to provide a more natural environment for the fish. This also allows the public to view the behavior and coloration of salmon in a ‘wilder’ habitat than a hatchery tank.
Craig Brook NFH has collaborated with the Friends of Craig Brook to purchase additional materials to improve the display area and create an area for children to draw their own ‘Living Stream’ on a section of chalkboard painted wall.
Please stay tuned for updates as construction continues!
Written By
