Meeker Office Closure
The Meeker office is closed until further notice due to the Lee Fire. Please view the news release for additional details and alternative office information.
Durango Fish Hatchery
Facility Type:
Cold Water
Hours:
Daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tours:
- Guided tours
- Self-guided tours
Address:
151 East 16th Street
Durango, CO 81301
United States
Durango Fish Hatchery
Facility Type:
Cold Water
Hours:
Daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tours:
- Guided tours
- Self-guided tours
Address:
151 East 16th Street
Durango, CO 81301
United States
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A photo of Durango State Fish Hatchery in the 1920's.
Durango Fish Hatchery
This is the oldest state-owned fish hatchery in Colorado. The first building was constructed in 1893. During the expansion of the state of Colorado’s fish-stocking program in the early 1900s, a new building was constructed in 1927 and is now the Wildlife Museum. This was the main hatchery until a much bigger upgrade occurred in the 1970s.
Annual Production
Durango stocks approximately 125,000 catchable rainbows (8−12 inches in length) and 1.3 million subcatchable fish (1−5 inches in length) each year in the southwest corner of Colorado.
Visitors Welcome!
- Wildlife museum - Currently closed for construction.
- Museum Hours
- 10-4pm – Mon – Sat
- 11-3pm – Sun
- fish and animal mounts
- hands-on displays
- operated by volunteers
- Museum Hours
- Self-guided tours - Self guided tours are still possible. However, there will be no on site parking. Tour groups will have to park off site and walk along the river trail to access the hatchery from the East side. Hatchery staff will not be available to assist self guided tours.
- Volunteer-guided tours for groups; email [email protected] - Unavailable during construction period.
- 'Feed the Fish' fish food dispensers – requires quarters
Subcatchable trout swimming in the waters of the hatchery.
Life Stages & Helpful Hatchery Terms to Know
- Egg - A mature female can produce up to 3,000 eggs.
- Sac Fry - Newly hatched fish that have their yolk sac still attached. The yolk sac is a source of nutrition for the newly hatched fish.
- Swim-up Fry - Fish that have absorbed the yolk sac and “swim up” in search of food.
- Fingerling - A fish that is 2−3 inches in length.
- Subcatchable - A fish that is 3−8 inches in length.
- Catchable - A fish that is 9−11 inches in length.
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!