Hatcheries and Stocking (Public Waters)

Fish hatcheries are an important component of freshwater fisheries management in North Carolina. The Wildlife Resources Commission uses hatchery-reared fish for a variety of purposes, including enhancing existing fisheries and establishing new populations. Each year, Commission staff stocks approximately 6 million fish in public lakes, ponds, streams and rivers throughout the state. The sections below provide more information on the agency’s six fish hatcheries and multiple stocking programs. 

Stocking

2023 Winter Trout Stocking Schedule (NEW!)

Coldwater Stocking 

• Coldwater Daily Stocking Update 
• Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Stocking Schedule (PDF)
• 2023 Hatchery Trout Stocking Schedule (PDF)
• Weekly Coldwater Stocking Update

Warmwater Stocking

• Warmwater Stocking List by District (PDF)
• Warmwater Stocking Summary (PDF)

NCWRC Hatcheries

Warmwater Hatcheries

• McKinney Lake State Fish Hatchery (Richmond County)
• Watha State Fish Hatchery (Pender County)

Coolwater Hatchery

• Table Rock State Fish Hatchery (Burke County)

Coldwater Hatcheries

• Armstrong State Fish Hatchery (McDowell County)
• Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery (Transylvania County)
• Marion State Fish Hatchery (McDowell County)

Stocking Your Pond and Pond Management (Private Lands)

Commercial Hatcheries and Pond Management

• NC Department of Agriculture Commercial Hatcheries
• Pond Management Guide
• NC State University Fisheries and Pond Management Extension

Stocking Permit

• Fish Stocking Permit FAQ
• Fish Stocking Permit Application
• Grass Carp Stocking Permit FAQ
• Grass Carp Stocking Permits Application
• Permitting Process-Stocking Sterile Grass Carp for Hydrilla Management in Public Waters Managed by a Public Body (Governmental Entity or Public Utility)