Birding at the Hatchery

Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery is located on the Colorado River in the Mohave Desert, a popular water source along the migration route for many birds in the west, including herons, eagles, and waterfowl.

Flora & Fauna

Located in the Mojave Desert, visitors to Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery can expect to find a variety of desert plant and animals species. Plant species include; Barrel cactus, Beavertail cactus, Cholla cactus, Creosote bush, Desert mallow, Desert marigold, Indian Paint-Brush, Prickly Pear cactus, Rock nettle, and Sacred Datura.

Animal species include; Bighorn sheep, Coyote, Antelope ground squirrel, Ringtail cat, Greater roadrunner, Golden eagle, Canyon wren, Gambel’s quail, Great Blue heron, Turkey vulture, Raven, Scorpions, Desert tarantula, Tarantula Hawk, Mojave rattlesnake, Chuckwalla lizard.

Colorado river fish species;

Common species; rainbow trout, Speckled Dace, Bluehead Sucker, Flannelmouth Sucker, Striped bass, Largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, Rainbow trout.

Threatened/endangered species include; Humpback chub, Razorback sucker, Colorado Pikeminnow, Bonytail chub.