The goal of the New York’s fish culture program is to operate a modern, efficient system of fish hatcheries and annually produce and stock a variety of disease free fish. In 2016, 933,272 lbs. of fish were raised and stocked from the state’s 12 fish hatcheries into approximately 1,200 waters. The number and species of fish stocked in 2016 can be found in the table below. In addition to various sportfish species, DEC raises and stocks lake sturgeon, paddlefish, round whitefish, and northern sunfish. These rare species were once native to New York State, and an effort is currently underway to restore them to their native range.

Various hatchery infrastructure projects funded by Governor Cuomo’s NY Works program were undertaken in 2016. Highlights include:

• Rehabilitation of an existing deep water well at Bath hatchery which resulted in improved water pumping capacity and the ability to provide cooler water temperatures during warm weather periods.
• Purchase of two 3,000- gallon fish sludge trucks to replace two older models. The trucks are used to remove fish waste from hatchery facilities.
• Installation of a single outflow piping system for water discharge at Caledonia Hatchery.
• Rehabilitation and multiple repairs to various hatchery manager’s residences.
• Rehabilitation of three deep water wells at Adirondack Hatchery. The wells now produce greater quantities of water for the raising of landlocked Atlantic salmon.
• Significant improvements were made at the Salmon River Hatchery’s Visitor Center including a new ceramic tile floor, new interpretive signs and photos, improved fish displays, brighter lighting, and a new staffed visitor information area. Improvements to the exterior of the main hatchery building included pressure washing the buildings outside cement walls, new signage throughout the grounds, observation deck improvements, and stabilization of the fish ladder.
• Purchase of four new flat- bed trucks which will be used for stocking fish and snowplowing. The trucks replaced older models that had become inefficient to operate.