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 Station
Facts
- Established: 1938.
- FY 06 budget: $551,251.
- Number of staff: six.
Geographic Area Covered
- State of Georgia and Cherokee,
North Carolina.
Station Goals
- Fulfilling mitigation responsibilities
and providing recreational fishing opportunities for Federal water development
projects via a Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Georgia.
- Fulfilling Tribal Trust
responsibilities by providing technical assistance and rainbow trout
to Native American Tribes.
- Partnering with federal
and state agencies and conservation groups to study and monitor the
status of aquatic populations and to improve aquatic habitat of rare
fishes as well as other aquatic species in TN, AL, GA, KY and NC.
- Providing recreational fishing
opportunities on Service lands.
- Assisting in the recovery
of threatened and imperiled fish.
- Developing and implementing
conservation education programs.
Services Provided to
- General public and angling
enthusiasts.
- Federal and state agencies.
- Federal, State and private
organizations dedicated to the restoration and recovery of aquatic resources.
- Native American Tribes.
- Other Fish & Wildlife Service
program offices.
- Camp Frank D. Merrill, US
Army.
Activity Highlights
- The hatchery annually distributed
324,000 catchable-size rainbow trout and an additional 460,000 fingerlings
to meet mitigation goals. These fish provided 160,000 anglers with an
opportunity to land a trout.
- The economic impact of the
hatchery is over $32 million annually. That's well over $100 return
on every budget dollar spent by the hatchery.
- Approximately 38,000 visitors
tour the hatchery annually. Major fishing events are held annually
to promote recreational fishing and to introduce the public to the
Fish and Wildlife Service and its mission.
- An extensive outreach program
has been implemented that promotes public use, recreational fishing,
environmental education and program activities. The hatchery has a very
active Friends Group and a tremendous volunteer organization.
- Fingerling trout and technical
assistance are provided to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North
Carolina.
Fish Species and Capabilities
- The primary species raised
at this facility is rainbow trout.
- Populations of threatened
and endangered fish are being held for refugia and growout.
Public Use Opportunities
- The hatchery provides environmental
education and public outreach opportunities to visitors, school groups,
and various other organizations. The enviromental education program
is designed to promote conservation ethics and to develop a greater
outreach for recreational fishing opportunities.
- The beautiful surroundings
and natural environment draw a lot of visitors to the hatchery. A
visitor kiosk and an opportunity to view the fish in various stages
of production prove to be a great attraction. Rock Creek, which runs
through hatchery property, offers a great trout fishing opportunity.
- U.S. Forest Service campgrounds
are located both above and below the hatchery.
Calendar of Events --
(2008 dates and times in red!)
May: SPECIAL KIDS
FISHING RODEO (May
8th and 9th, 2008, from 9 a.m.-noon) --
These events, held in May each year (usually the second Thursday and
Friday from 9 a.m.-noon), are for special needs youth from area schools.
Volunteers work with the children to share the joys of fishing and
the natural world. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED AND NUMBERS ARE LIMITED.
June: SENIORS
FISHING RODEO (June
13, 2008, from 9 a.m.-noon) -- Adults
age 55 and older are invited to the hatchery on what is usually the
Friday following the first Saturday in June from 9 a.m.-noon each year
to enjoy great trout fishing opportunities and prizes. Registration
begins at 9 a.m.
September: FAMILY
FISHING FESTIVAL (September 27, 2008, from
9 a.m.-noon) -- Come celebrate
National Hunting and Fishing Day at the hatchery (usually the fourth
Saturday from 9 a.m.-noon)! Youth ages 16 and under have excellent
trout fishing opportunities, along with expert demonstrations, free
food, educational exhibits, fun activities and prizes.
March to September:
Stocking season.
Questions and Answers
What kind of fish do you
raise?
Rainbow trout.
Where do you get the eggs to
hatch the fish?
We get our eggs from the Erwin National Fish Hatchery in Erwin, TN. and
Ennis National Fish Hatchery (MT).
How big are the fish when you
stock them out?
Approximately nine inches.
How long does it take to get
the fish from an egg to nine inches?
Approximately 12-16
months.
Do you provide fish to private
individuals?
No. All the fish raised at this facility are stocked into public waters. |
