Silver Creek Hatchery trout production to end

Silver Creek Hatchery trout production to end July 15 for hatchery renovations

PINETOP, Ariz. — The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s (AZGFD) Silver Creek Hatchery will cease trout production starting July 15 in preparation for a large-scale hatchery renovation project.
 
The Silver Creek Hatchery portion of the property will remain closed from July 2022 through 2023 and will not raise fish during the renovation. The remaining sections of the property will remain open for angling per normal property rules. 

All fish production from the hatchery will be moved to other AZGFD hatcheries during the renovation, but the ability to stock Apache trout in some waters will be postponed until the hatchery renovation is done and fish production is again up and running (see below).

In preparation for this renovation, all fish will be removed from the hatchery and stocked prior to July 15, 2022. While this renovation may result in short-term changes to some stockings in the White Mountains in both 2022 and 2023, it will lead to increased production capability for AZGFD to produce more and healthier fish in the future. 

The waters listed below will be impacted by the renovation of the Silver Creek Hatchery:

Silver Creek - Stocking of Apache trout to end in mid-July, weekly stocking of rainbow trout will continue through September. No changes are planned in 2023 at this time.

East Fork Black River - Stocking of Apache trout to end in mid-July, limited stocking of rainbow trout to occur through September. No changes in 2023 planned at this time.

West Fork Little Colorado River at Greer - Stocking of Apache trout to end in mid-July, limited stocking of rainbow trout to occur through September. No changes in 2023 planned at this time.

West Fork Little Colorado River at Sheeps Crossing - Stocking of Apache trout to end in mid-July and will be postponed until the hatchery renovation is completed and fish production is operating at full capacity.

West Fork Black River at West Fork Campground - Stocking of Apache trout to end in mid-July and will be postponed until the hatchery renovation is completed and fish production is operating at full capacity.

Lee Valley Reservoir - No Apache trout stockings will occur until the hatchery renovation is completed and fish production is operating at full capacity. 

For the most up-to-date information on stockings, please see the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s stocking schedule at the following link:
2022 Spring/Summer Trout Stocking Calendar.