The Caledonia Fish Hatchery, located in Livingston County, NY, between the Villages of Mumford and Caledonia was founded in 1864 by the “Father of Fish Culture,” Seth Green. It’s believed to be the oldest fish hatchery in the Western Hemisphere.
Caledonia Fish Hatchery staff stock 10 counties, covering the western basin of Lake Ontario, the eastern basin of Lake Erie, a few of the Finger Lakes, and many streams throughout Western NY. The hatchery raises brown trout – roughly 70,000 two-year-olds (12-14″) and 240,000 yearlings (9″).
That’s about 135,000 pounds of fish – the second highest amount raised at any of New York State’s 12 state hatcheries. Caledonia is also responsible for raising another 75,000 – 9″ Rainbow Trout at Cedar Springs, a satellite hatchery about five miles away (not open to the public).
The historic main hatchery building has recently undergone major renovations, along with improvements to the parking lot, walkways, and fish pond piping. They also hope to bring an old abandoned pond back online this year, enabling them to produce another 30,000 yearling fish.
The hatchery is open to public from 8 am to 4 pm, seven days a week.
Note: Fishing is permitted on site just above the hatchery in Spring Creek, the hatchery’s main water source, from 8 am to 3:30 pm. Be sure to check the Fishing Regulations Guide because special regulations are in effect there.
Photo of Caledonia Fish Hatchery provided by DEC.
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