Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery
Facility Type:
Hours:
Daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tours:
- Guided tours
- Self-guided tours
Address:
11466 State Highway 325
Rifle, CO 81650
United States
Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery
Facility Type:
Hours:
Daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tours:
- Guided tours
- Self-guided tours
Address:
11466 State Highway 325
Rifle, CO 81650
United States
Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery
The Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery is a cold water hatchery producing fingerlings and catchables of rainbow, Snake River cutthroat, brook, brown, and cutthroat trout. It is also the largest state-owned and operated trout production hatchery in Colorado!
Rifle Falls stocks stream sections, lakes, and reservoirs in western Colorado, and provides catchable trout for stocking along the Front range. Cutthroat trout are also raised for aerial stocking.
A zoomed out look at Rifle Falls Hatchery.
Aerial view Rifle Falls Hatchery.
Aerial view Rifle Falls Hatchery.
Indoor raceways at Rifle Falls State Fish Hatchery.
Mission
Rifle Falls is one of 19 state hatcheries that exist to provide angling opportunities for kids, seniors, veterans and the general public, as well as contribute to native species conservation. Studies have shown that fishing contributes nearly two billion dollars in economic activity in the state of Colorado.
In addition to stocking fish, the staff at Rifle Falls routinely engages in public outreach and education. Visitor records show that at least 10,000 people visit the hatchery each year. Thousands more K-12 students are given a close-up view of aquaculture during guided group tours. Special events known as kids’ fishing days are usually preceded by stocking catchable trout.
Rifle Falls also contributes to native species conservation efforts by raising Colorado River cutthroat trout. These unique fish are transported to high mountain lakes by airplane in the brief period of alpine summer between Independence Day and Labor Day.
Visitors Welcome!
- Visitor Center & viewing room
- 'Feed the Fish' fish food dispensers (requires quarters)
- Volunteers on-site during the summer offer tours
- Self-guided tours year-round
- Free posters and pamphlets
- Nearby Watchable Wildlife and riparian trails
A man standing on a hatchery truck.
Location
The Rifle Falls Hatchery is located 14 miles north of Rifle on Hwy. 325. Visitor parking is in the lot on the west side of the road. Nestled below 300-foottall limestone cliffs, the property is bounded by the city of Rifle Mountain Park to the north and by Rifle Falls State Park to the south. The bobcat hiking trail connects Rifle Falls State Park and the State Fish Hatchery. Two ponds directly above the falls (not visible from the highway) are open to public fishing. If you have a four-wheel-drive, highclearance vehicle, you can continue beyond the hatchery to the White River National Forest and Flat Tops Wilderness area.
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!