Bellvue-Watson Fish Hatchery
Facility Type:
Hours:
Contact hatchery
Tours:
- Guided tours
- Self-guided tours
Address:
4936 West County Rd 52E
Bellvue, CO 80512
United States
Bellvue-Watson Fish Hatchery
Facility Type:
Hours:
Contact hatchery
Tours:
- Guided tours
- Self-guided tours
Address:
4936 West County Rd 52E
Bellvue, CO 80512
United States
Bellvue-Watson Fish Hatchery
The Bellvue Hatchery, built in 1924, is located 1/2 mile southwest of the Watson Rearing Unit. The Watson rearing unit was built in 1964. Both units are owned and operated by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, State of Colorado.
The Bellvue Hatchery produces 1.1 million subcatchable trout including: rainbow trout, Loch Leven-strain brown trout, Snake river cutthroat, greenback cutthroat and splake. Watson Rearing unit produces 280,000 ten-inch cutbows and rainbow trout each year.
CPW broadcast feed pellets from the back of a flatbed truck. Relatively calm raceways are quickly transformed to choppy water as trout compete in a feeding frenzy.
For a small fee, visitors can feed trout at the hatchery.
Students learn about all of the work that goes into producing healthy fish.
Bellvue-Watson Fish Hatchery
Informational signage at Bellvue-Watson Hatchery.
Open to the public
Hatchery Activities
- Informational and educational material
- Self-guided tours
- 'Feed the Fish' fish food dispensers (requires quarters)
Visitors Welcome!
The Bellvue-Watson hatchery is located 7 miles northwest of Fort Collins. Take U.S. 287 north from Fort Collins through Laporte, then left on County Rd. 52E. Go 3/4 of a mile to entrance on right.
Hatchery staff wading in the water.
Ask the Staff
Bellvue-Watson is staffed by a crew of six full-time and two to three part-time employees. Open year-round, the unit offers tours to organized groups by appointment. Additional brochures and information are available in the visitor’s center. Please feel free to direct questions to unit personnel.
Your Fishin’ Is Our Mission!
Colorado’s Fish Stocking Program
Since 1881, Colorado Parks & Wildlife fish hatcheries have been dedicated to improving the fish populations of our beautiful state. Today, CPW operates 19 hatcheries that breed, hatch, rear and stock over 90 million fish per year. Many of the fish produced are to enhance angling opportunities, while others serve a critical role in native species recovery efforts. Colorado fish hatcheries support our angling pastime, which contributes 2.4 billion dollars annually to our state's economy!