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Jackson National Fish Hatchery operates with support from partners, including: National Elk Refuge, Lander Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, U.S. Geological Survey, Wyoming Department of Game & Fish, Idaho Department of Fish & Game, Bureau of Reclamation, Wind River Indian Reservation, and other Federal/State agencies and hatcheries. In addition, many local schools, civic groups, and citizens have been involved with the hatchery's research, operations, and education. The hatchery also partnered with Trout Unlimited to do an angler study on the impacts of streamside erosion on the National Elk Refuge.

These many dedicated partners and volunteers help keep Jackson National Fish Hatchery operating to bring recreational angling opportunities and healthy aquatic ecosystems to you, your family, and future generations.

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Stocking a local reservoir with native cutthroat trout. Credit: USFWS.

Currently, Jackson National Fish Hatchery produces close to 200,000 Snake River cutthroat trout averaging 7 inches for Federal, State, and Tribal waters in Wyoming and Idaho. These trout help to restore fish populations, encourage sustainable fish populations and provide angling opportunities for recreational users like you. As a result of the Jackson National Fish Hatchery propagation program, economic benefits weigh-in at over 50,000 angler days of recreational fishing valued at over $5 million.

Trout spawn once a year. The cutthroat trout at this hatchery are from adults that spawn during the spring and early summer months. Eggs are taken from each female by gently pressing her abdomen. If she is "ripe" she will readily release her eggs into a shallow pan. Sperm is collected from male fish in the same manner and is mixed with the eggs to fertilize them. The fertilized eggs are placed in incubators, which resemble a chest of drawers, where a steady flow of water supplies oxygen to the developing embryos. The eggs take about four weeks to hatch into tiny "fry". The fry are nourished for several weeks by the remaining yolk sac until it is used up and they swim to the surface in search of food.

Adult female Snake River Cutthroat trout. Credit: USFWS.

Hatchery trout are fed a specially formulated dry food which, when the fry first begin to feed, is about as fine as table salt. As the young fish grow, the particle size of their diet is increased. Trout grow at the rate of about 1/2 inch per month in 48 degree Fahrenheit water. To meet the trout production demands, the hatchery facilities include 21 raceways and 12 tanks that are fed by a series of springs and four wells.