WALHALLA FISH HATCHERY

Michael Foster

Michael Foster

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The Walhalla Fish Hatchery, located in northern Oconee County, SC,

raises brook, brown and rainbow trout for stocking the states public
waters in support of recreational fishing. Most of the trout are cultured to
a catchable size of 9-12 inches before they are released. Fingerling trout are
also produced to enhance the trout fishery.
Hatchery trout are needed to maintain
a sustainable trout population because
of different factors in South Carolina
trout streams. Generally, the streams of
the Southern Appalachian Mountains
are pristine and of good water quality.
However, they are frequently not as
productive as streams in other areas of
the country. The northwestern
corner of SC is situated along
the southeastern geographical
margin of trout habitat. South
ich
M
Carolina maintains some high
quality wild trout streams, but its
geographical limitation restricts
the natural trout resource such
that it does not
meet the high
demand for
trout fishing in
the state. Trout
managers have
successfully
extended
trout fishing
opportunities by stocking trout in
selected streams. This hatchery
supported trout fishery is
generally created to support the
desired fishery in waters where
the natural trout population is
limited.
For more information about
the Walhalla Fish Hatchery, trout
fish culture, and visitors info,
visit http://hatcheries.dnr.sc.gov/
walhalla/.