The South Otselic Fish Hatchery is located in South Otselic, about 15 miles west of Sherburne.in Chenango County, and raises walleye and brook trout.
Every year, South Otselic receives 335,000 walleye fry from Oneida Fish Hatchery and raises them in 10 earthen ponds until they reach fingerling size where they’re stocked in approximately 14 waters around the state. Heritage (original) strain brook trout and “Temiscamie” (a hybrid, with better survival rates in acidic waters) brook trout are also raised there.
Outside of the hatchery, South Otselic staff are also heavily involved with the annual walleye egg take at Oneida Fish Hatchery and the Cayuga Lake egg take, which supplies Seneca strain lake trout for stocking throughout the state.
The hatchery was built in 1932 by 50 laborers from the City of Norwich, Chenango County, and NYS employees. Initially, black bass were raised there.
The South Otselic Fish Hatchery is open from 8 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday, year-round.
For more information call (315) 653-7727.
Photo of South Otselic Fish Hatchery courtesy DEC.
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