U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Ennis National Fish , Montana Restoring America’s

Ennis National Fish Hatchery they are hatched and the fish are raised Established in 1931, Ennis NFH was to stockable sizes. located for the purpose of taking trout eggs from wild populations, and Ennis NFH is the largest facility in the introducing fingerling fish back into Service’s National Program, public waters to sustain and enhance the and is one of only two sport . The site was selected for broodstock in the nationwide the fractured rock out-cropping which Federal hatchery system. To meet the gravity flows 15,000 gallons per m inute trout production demands, Ennis NFH of 54°F spring waters; the ideal facilities include 38 hatchery tanks, 48 environment for producing trout. circular tanks, and 36 raceways. “The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others In the 1970's the demand for catchable 6 different strains of rainbow trout are to conserve, protect and enhance fish, trout decreased, but the demand for reared at Ennis NFH, each strain being wildlife, plants and their habitats for eggs increased. More emphasis was named for their original location: the continuing benefit of the American placed on broodstock and by the mid- people.” 80's production exceeded 20 million # McConaughy (Nebraska) eggs. Today, Ennis NFH operates as a # Eagle Lake (California) federal broodstock hatchery and # Shasta (California) produces over 20 million rainbow trout # Fish Lake (Utah) National Fish Hatchery System; eggs annually. # Erwin (Tennessee) Arlee (Montana) Who We Are # The National Fish Hatchery System In fiscal year 2000, eyed eggs from 6 As a result of the Ennis NFH (NFHS) is comprised of 70 Fish strains of rainbow trout were provided Broodstock program, economic benefits Hatcheries, 7 Fish Technology Centers, to Federal, State, and Tribal hatcheries, weigh-in at 5 million angler days and and 9 Fish Health Centers nation wide. fish technology centers, and research generates $50 million per year in 26 The NFHS operated by the U.S. Fish & facilities in 26 states. states. Wildlife Service has a unique responsibility in helping restore native Ennis NFH continues to be whirling aquatic populations, mitigate for disease free, and recen t construction to fisheries lost as a result of federal water cover the springs ensures its continued projects, provide fish to benefit Tribes disease-free status. and the National Wildlife Refuges, and to recover species listed under the What is a Broodstock Hatchery? Endangered Species Act. The NFHS Broodstock are adult fish that produce works closely with other programs in eggs and sperm. A broodstock hatchery the Service and with the States, Tribes, specializes in rearing fish to adult size, and the private sector to complement then taking the eggs from those fish, habitat restoration and other resource fertilizing the eggs with sperm, management strategies for maintaining incubating the eggs through the fragile healthy ecosystems that support healthy early stages, and shipping them to fisheries. production hatcheries where Ennis National Fish Hatchery; USFWS There is a small visitor center in the Additionally, the hatchery stocks retired building, and an outside display pond broodfish into waters of Montana and with rainbow trout weighing over 20 Colorado where they w ill not interfere pounds. Visitors are invited to walk with endangered fish or wildlife and will around the raceways where most of the give anglers the ch ance to test their adult trout are held, and visit the skills landing big fish. Retired broodfish hatchery building where eggs and small are also donated to the Horsebutte fish are reared. Wildlife Rehab Center as food for eagles and ospreys. Eagle Lake strain trout eggs on screen Supporting Our Communities just before being put down in tank; Ennis NFH is a proud participant in the Ennis NFH is located in Madison USFWS local communities. As part of the County, 12 miles southwest of Ennis, outreach program, the hatchery stocks along the northeastern foothills of the the Ennis Kids Pond for National Gravelly Range. Com e prepared for a Week and provides educational day of fun! prizes for participants. The hatchery How Does the Hatchery Help? also supports local schools and groups Ennis NFH helps in m any ways! with educational material on fish and Currently, the hatchery produces trout endangered species. eggs to fill production hatchery needs throughout the nation. These fish help to replenish and encourage sustainable trout populations and provide opportunities for recreational users like you!

As the natural aquatic habitat changes from natural (drought, flood, habitat destruction) or human (over-harvest, pollution, habitat loss due to development and dam construction) influences, the natural production of fish declines. Stocking of fish is one of the many management strategies used by biologists to help replenish the populations for years to com e.

Public Use Opportunities Open to the public 7 days a week, Ennis NFH welcomes visitors to the hatchery for a closeup view of the fish production process. With over 3,000 visitors annually, the dedicated staff at the hatchery w ill normally be available to Hatchery employees D ave Noble and Jim M cFall holding a pair of Shasta strain answer your questions. Educational rainbow trout broodstock; USFWS programs/tours are provided for the public and school groups when scheduled in advance.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service For Additional Information, Ennis National Fish Hatchery 1 800/344 WILD Please Contact: 180 Fish Hatchery Road http://www.fws.gov Ennis, MT 59729 February 2001 406/682 4847 [email protected]