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More than 100 million juvenile fish of popular species like striped bass, wall-eye, catfish, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, pike and pickerel are reared at six state fish hatcheries.
STATE FISH HATCHERIES. Corry State Fish Hatchery. Fairview State Fish Hatchery. Linesville State Fish Hatchery. Oswayo State Fish Hatchery. Pleasant Mount State Fish Hatchery. Tionesta State Fish Hatchery. Bellefonte State Fish Hatchery. Benner Spring State Fish Hatchery.
Be sure to stop by your local fish hatchery and learn about the wonders of what fish hatcheries can do to nurture the life of fish! CDFW Fish Hatchery Locations Map Region 1: Northern Region
- Bass and Bluegill
- Sunfish
- Trout
- Perch
- Black Crappie
- Channel Catfish
- Brown Bullhead
- Golden Shiners
- Fathead Minnows
- Darters
Bass and bluegill are by far the most popular and successful combination of fishes in Pennsylvania ponds. Either smallmouth or largemouth bass are suitable although largemouth bass are the more common choice. Both bass and bluegill thrive in the warm water present in most ponds. Bass offer excellent sport fishing opportunities, while bluegills prov...
Other types of sunfish are sometimes stocked instead of bluegill, usually with less success. These tend to be harder to catch than bluegill and have unpredictable survival rates. If your pond suffers from swimmer's itch, a rash-causing parasite carried by waterfowl and snails, you can stock pumpkinseed sunfish in place of bluegills because they fee...
Most ponds cannot sustain trout year-round because of warm summer water temperatures (above about 74°F). Adult trout can be stocked during spring or fall and harvested before summer in a "put-and-take" fishery. Brook trout are preferred because they are generally the easiest to catch, but they are more sensitive to warm water temperature. Rainbow t...
Yellow perch may be stocked for ice fishing. Since each female produces over 75,000 eggs, they quickly reproduce and often overpopulate the pond with stunted fish. They can produce more satisfactory results if stocked in combination with other species, like bass, that will help keep their population under control. However, little experience exists ...
Black crappie are active throughout winter, making them popular for ice fishing. They do best in large impoundments with cool, deep water and extensive underwater habitat. As such, they are usually recommended only for lakes.
Channel catfish have been somewhat successful in Pennsylvania ponds when stocked with largemouth bass. A stocking density of 500 catfish to 100 bass is recommended. Channel catfish can reach very large sizes, but their survival and reproduction is unpredictable in Pennsylvania ponds.
This small catfish rarely grows larger than 12 inches in ponds. It is an excellent panfish and sport fish for many anglers. They tolerate low water quality, such as high water temperatures, muddy water, and low dissolved oxygen. Brown bullhead are problematic because they are prolific; the result is a large population of stunted catfish that stir u...
This large, native minnow can reach 10 inches. It is a good forage fish that is often stocked as a food source for bass. Like bluegill, they provide good forage because some grow large enough to avoid predators and breed. Shiners do best in ponds with aquatic vegetation that provides cover and breeding locations. They are also an excellent baitfish...
These minnow are also native to Pennsylvania but are smaller (2 to 3 inches) than golden shiners. Like channel catfish, fatheads are tolerant of poor water quality. They breed prolifically, which makes them an excellent baitfish. Bass easily prey upon fathead minnows, so they must be stocked more frequently than golden shiners. As a result, they ar...
Many types of native darters are found in Pennsylvania. They are small, bottom-dwelling forage fish. Since they are intolerant of high water temperatures, muddy water, and other problems, the presence of darters indicates high water quality. Most darters will do well, but Johnny Darters and Tesselated Darters are recommended for ponds.
There are 15 state fish hatcheries in Pennsylvania. Owned by the state and operated by the Fish and Boat Commission, these hatcheries are strategically located across the Commonwealth to take advantage of high-quality water supplies and to maximize fish stocking logistics.
Originally constructed in 1976, the Fairview State Fish Hatchery is situated on 50 developed acres (87 total acres) of land owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and managed by the Fish and Boat Commission. The facility consists of exterior concrete raceways and several support buildings.
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Mar 16, 2023 · Getting 3.2 million hatchery-raised trout into waterways like the Breeches, as well as sustaining wild trout populations, is a critical part of the worldclass fishing for which Pennsylvania’s mountain streams are renowned.
