Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery
Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery is nestled deep in the heart of the North Georgia mountains, approximately 75 miles north of Atlanta. Surrounded by the 749,444 acre Chattahoochee National Forest, the hatchery occupies a 44.8 acre tract of land straddling Mill Creek and Rock Creek, which are tributaries of the Toccoa River.
The hatchery produces about one million rainbow trout each year. These fish are stocked into tailwaters, streams and lakes of Northern Georgia in cooperation with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Corps of Engineers, Tennessee Valley Authority, and the U.S. Forest Service.
Learn more about how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service propagates fish.
Station goals
- Fulfilling mitigation responsibilities for federal water development projects
- Support recreational fishing opportunities in public waters
- 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
- To improve aquatic habitat of rare fishes and other aquatic species in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and North Carolina
- Providing recreational fishing opportunities on Service lands
- Assist in the recovery of threatened, endangered, and at-risk species
- Developing and implementing environmental education programs
Service Area
Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery services trout streams throughout north Georgia.
Public use opportunities
The hatchery provides environmental education and public outreach opportunities to visitors, school groups, and various other organizations. The environmental education program is designed to promote a conservation ethic and to develop interest in 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. U.S. Forest Service campgrounds are located both North and South of the hatchery.
Hours of operation
The hatchery is open 8 a.m to 3 p.m, Monday through Friday and is free to the public. The hatchery is closed to visitors on federal holidays.
Friends of Chattahoochee Forest NFH
The Friends of Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery recognize the importance of the hatchery to North Georgia. The friends group is committed to supporting the hatchery’s mission, promoting the conservation ethic, environmental education, and encouraging the sport of trout fishing.
Learn more about friends groups in the Southeast Region.
Directions
Contact
Kelly Taylor, Project Leader
Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery
4730 Rock Creek Road
Suches, GA 30572
Phone: (706) 838-4723
Fax: (706) 838-4626
Email: kelly_taylor@fws.gov
Source: http://www.blueridgegeorgiablog.com/general-information/chattahoochee-forest-national-fish-hatchery/