HATCHERIES

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's Division of Inland Fisheries operates six fish hatcheries that raise a variety of fish for stocking into North Carolina's public waters. These hatcheries are designated as "warmwater", "coolwater" or "coldwater" hatcheries. Because state-operated hatcheries stock only public waters, people seeking to stock private lakes and ponds must contact a commercial hatchery. To see more information on these hatcheries, click on the desired type of hatchery. For stocking information, click on the "Fishing Seasons and Stocking Schedules" hyperlink.

Warmwater hatcheries
The McKinney Lake Hatchery in Richmond County raises channel catfish exclusively for the state's public waters. The Watha Hatchery in Pender County raises striped bass, striped bass hybrids, channel catfish and largemouth bass for the state's public waters.

Coolwater hatcheries
The Table Rock Hatchery in Burke County is the Division’s sole coolwater hatchery. It raises muskellunge, walleye and smallmouth bass.

Coldwater hatcheries
The Armstrong Hatchery and Marion Hatchery in McDowell County and Bobby N. Setzer Hatchery in Transylvania County raise more than a half million brook, brown and rainbow trout annually.

Commercial hatcheries
Because state-operated hatcheries stock only public waters, people seeking to stock private lakes and ponds must contact a commercial hatchery. A list of hatcheries licensed to sell fish in North Carolina is available from your local North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. For more information on commercial hatcheries, click on the "Commercial hatcheries" link above.