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.
Glenwood Springs Hatchery
Facility Type:
Cold Water
Hours:
Contact hatchery
Tours:
- Guided tours
- Self-guided tours
Address:
1362 132 Road
Glenwood Springs, CO 81602
United States
Glenwood Springs Hatchery
Facility Type:
Cold Water
Hours:
Contact hatchery
Tours:
- Guided tours
- Self-guided tours
Address:
1362 132 Road
Glenwood Springs, CO 81602
United States
Glenwood Springs State Fish Hatchery
The Glenwood Springs Hatchery is located on Mitchell Creek just one mile north of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The Glenwood Springs Hatchery is the third oldest fish hatchery in the state, behind the Durango Hatchery and the Leadville Hatchery (operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). It operated as a private fish hatchery in the late 19th century; Colorado Game & Fish (now Colorado Parks and Wildlife) began operating the hatchery in late 1905 and was deeded the property in early 1906 to be used strictly for fish propagation. The stone hatchery building currently in use was built in 1927.
Glenwood Springs State Fish Hatchery.
A vintage photo of the Glenwood Springs State Fish Hatchery.
Aerial view of Glenwood Springs State Fish Hatchery.
Kokanee salmon out of the water.
Kokanee Salmon
Kokanee salmon are genetically identical to sockeye salmon, but because they spend their lives entirely in fresh water, they are somewhat smaller than their ocean-going relatives. The largest kokanee salmon spawning run in Colorado occurs each fall in the Gunnison Valley, when between 50,000−80,000 kokanee leave Blue Mesa Reservoir and swim up the Gunnison and East Rivers to the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery near Almont.
The Glenwood Springs Hatchery typically incubates and hatches just over 1 million of the eggs collected at Roaring Judy. Hatchery technicians also help collect eggs at Wolford, Williams Fork and Granby Reservoirs to incubate and hatch. In total, this hatchery stocks around 2 million 1−2 inch kokanee each spring in
Visitors Welcome!
- Visitor Center
- Educational information
- Free pamphlets/brochures
- Self-guided tour with accompanying pamphlet
- Pre-arranged guided tours for groups
- 'Feed the Fish' fish food dispenser- requires quarters
- Day use parking for Mitchell Creek Trail
WD- resistant-strain Rainbow Trout.
Gunnison River Rainbow Trout
Hatchery personnel have assisted biologists in the spawning of wild Gunnison River rainbow trout at the East Portal near Montrose. The eggs have been used to establish a broodstock at the Glenwood Springs Hatchery. In addition to having characteristics suitable for survival in a wild river setting, Gunnison River rainbows have shown natural resistance to whirling disease (WD) and may be stocked statewide in the near future. In hopes of further increasing resistance to WD, many of the Gunnison River rainbow trout will be crossbred with the WD- resistant-strain rainbow trout.
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!