Closed until further Notice
Independence, CA’s First Fish Hatchery
Discover captivating exhibits and awe-inspiring architecture when you visit Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery. Situated in a picturesque landscape, our hatchery offers a glimpse into local history through a variety of engaging exhibits. If you’re looking for a fun yet educational excursion, you came to the right place.
Learn more about the exciting history of our fish hatchery.
About Us
Founded in 1917, Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery provided fresh trout to the Sierra Nevada region for nearly a century. After a series of natural disasters in 2008, we shifted our focus to preservation and education. Today, we operate a variety of attractions designed to educate kids about the fish rearing process and help us preserve our landmark establishment.
As one of the first-ever fish hatcheries, Mt. Whitney is a representation of our region’s rich culture and history. Though we no longer hatch fish, we organize tours, fish feeding, and wildlife interpretation exhibits. With striking early 20th century architecture, our building serves as both a tourist attraction and a venue for weddings and other functions. Visitors are welcome to speak to our docent or conduct a self-guided tour.
Our interactive attractions and conservation efforts would not be possible without our devoted volunteers. Although our hatchery is owned by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Friends of Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery run the facility. Our hatchery is open from April 1st through mid-December, depending on the weather.
Enjoy up-close interaction with our population of fingerling fish. We have ponds of rainbow and golden trout that guests are welcome to feed.
Learn a little more about the history of Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery. In its prime, our hatchery had to ability to produce up to 2 million fish per year.