Berkshire Hatchery

The Berkshire National Fish Hatchery is a something unique – a federal hatchery ran solely by volunteers.

The aim of the Berkshire Hatchery is not only to raise fish, but also to raise awareness and get people involved in the preservation and maintenance of our watersheds and ecosystems. Through various educational programs and outreach activities, the hatchery promotes community involvement and improved stewardship of our natural resources. The hatchery recognizes the importance of recreational fishing and the contributions made by anglers to the preservation of the nation's aquatic ecosystems.

The hatchery works together with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to maintain, protect and improve fish populations, habitat, watersheds and ecosystems through increased public awareness, appreciation and understanding of the benefits of conservation of these important natural resources. The two organizations also support research concerning fish; including fish health, fish husbandry and how to best aid depleted wild populations.

Two examples of projects in which the hatchery is involved is the Lower Great lakes Trout Program and the Connecticut River Salmon Restoration Association's program to reintroduce Atlantic Salmon into the Connecticut River system.

Where is the hatchery?
The hatchery is located in the village of Harsville-New Marlborough; an area known for its biological diversity and fascinating geological features. Harsville-New Marlborough is found in the northwestern part of Massachusetts in eastern United States.

Street address: 240 Hatchery Rd, New Marlborough, MA 01230

Driving instructions: Take Route 57 into Hartsville and look out for the sign onto Hatchery Road. Turn left at the sign. Proceedon Hatcery Road, the entrance to the hatchery is located on your right hand side.

When can I visit?
The Berkshire Hatchery is open most days from 9:00 to 16:00. To see more info visit the hatcheries official website

Links to Related Sites

US Fish & Wildlife Service, MA

Izaak Walton League of America

Cornell University - Salmonidae Family

Wikipedia's Salmonidae Page

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Hatchery history
The history of the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery begun in 1914, when 148-acres of land in New Marlborough, Massachusetts was donated to the U.S. Government by the Scully family.

In 1994, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) closed the hatchery due to budgetary constraints, but it was reopened five years later thanks to the collective work of the The Hampshire College and the Western Massachusetts Center for Sustainable Aquaculture (WMCSA) and the Berkshire Hatchery Foundation (BHF).

Today, the Berkshire Hatchery Foundation (BHF) is responsible for operating the hatchery, making it the only federal hatchery in the U.S. to be ran completely by volunteers.