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In recent years, the spread of whirling disease (WD) has become a serious management issue for hatcheries rearing trout. WD is a microscopic parasite that uses trout as part of its life cycle. In the early stages of its life cycle, the parasite bores into a young trout’s spinal column and makes it way to the young trout’s head, causing neurological problems. The trout's nervous system then becomes inhibited and the fish displays outer symptoms, such as a darken tail and erratic swimming. Most fish with WD will have a much shortened life span, resulting in reduced trout populations. There are no known health risks for humans who eat WD infected trout.

Hotchkiss NFH is one of the few public fish hatcheries in western Colorado to be certified WD-free. Due to its disease-free status, the hatchery is now assisting the Colorado Division of Wildlife by stocking disease-free trout in lakes, streams, and reservoirs in western Colorado. In addition, Hotchkiss has begun to successfully raise WD resistant strains of trout to be used in heavily infected waters. These trout bolster the declining trout populations and aide in sustaining trout fishing opportunities.

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Fish stocking truck. Credit: USFWS.

When the fish are ready for stocking, they are pumped by mechanical loader into a distribution truck. The water in the truck’s tank when kept cool and well supplied with oxygen can hold large numbers of trout for many hours.

Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery has two large capacity fish transportation trucks that are primarily used to distribute our trout to the destination. These two trucks are capable of holding 15,000 to 20,000 8-10 inch trout each. The combined life support system of these two trucks, which allows transportation of large numbers and weight of fish over long distances, consists of 21 aerators and two liquid-oxygen bottles weighing 600 lbs. each.

These units are used for stocking large reservoirs with trout throughout western Colorado and northern New Mexico and are a very cost-effective and efficient method of transporting trout. These along with smaller size stocking truck comprise the distribution fleet for Hotchkiss NFH and allow us to efficiently and safely transport our annual distribution of over 750,000 trout.

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Hotchkiss NFH provides many exciting visitor opportunities, and supports local communities. Open to the public, Hotchkiss NFH welcomes visitors to the hatchery for a close up view of the fish production process. With over 7,500 visitors annually, the friendly dedicated staff will normally be available to answer any questions while you explore the Visitor Center (open 7:30am to 4:00pm daily) and raceways. Educational programs/tours are provided for the public and school groups during business hours when scheduled in advance. A short, wheelchair-accessible, self-guided tour is available at the hatchery as well.

Hotchkiss NFH operates with support from partners, including: Colorado Division of Wildlife, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, and other Federal agencies and Service hatcheries. These many dedicated partners and volunteers help keep Hotchkiss NFH operating to bring recreational angling opportunities and healthy aquatic ecosystems to you, your family, and future generations.

Visitors also have a bounty of nearby recreational opportunities along the North Fork of the Gunnison River:

• Hiking/nature trails
• Fishing
• Picnicking
• Wildlife and bird watching
• Photography

Relax and enjoy your lunch under one of the five covered picnic areas on the hatchery grounds, or test your wildlife knowledge while viewing the surrounding canyon areas using the Watchable Wildlife viewing area. So be sure to bring your binoculars for the wildlife viewing, such as juncos, hawks, eagles, waterfowl, elk, deer, raccoons, and fox.

The hatchery also participates in local public fishing festivities, as the Sponsor of the Annual Huck Finn Days Fishing Derby for Children in June. Families and friends are invited to join the hatchery staff, volunteers, and sponsors for this fun-filled fishing event. In addition, many local businesses, civic groups, and citizens participate and sponsor the Annual Huck Finn Days Fishing Derby.