Hatchery Trout on the Ropes

TENNESSEE—Say what you want about hatchery trout—inbred, three-eyed, lackluster competition for wild fish populations—in states such as Tennessee, they’re a staple. With new federal budget cuts coming down the pipe, national fish hatcheries run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stand to lose $6.3 million related to fish hatchery mitigation operations.

Six of the nine national fish hatcheries slated for slashing and possible closure are located in the Southeast. In Tennessee, they include the Erwin National Fish Hatchery, and the Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery in Celina, which last year provided 1.3 million trout throughout the state.

“According to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife study, trout fishing across the Southeastern U.S. generates $107 million a year in direct spending and another $212 million in related spending for a total economic impact of $319 million.”

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