Federal Fish Hatchery – Neosho, Missouri - American Guide Series on Waymarking.com

The FEDERAL FISH HATCHERY, foot of E. McKinley Street, has six-and-one-half acres of water divided into numerous rearing ponds for largemouth bass, crappie, rock bass, and rainbow trout. Established in 1887, is a headquarters for federal hatcheries in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas. – Missouri: A Guide to the "Show Me" State, 1941, tour 6, pg. 437.

The Neosho National Fish Hatchery operating under the US Fish and Wildlife Service is the oldest operating federal fish hatchery. Over the years more than 130 different species of fish have been raised at the hatchery. Today hatchery rears primarily rainbow trout and pallid sturgeon. The rainbow trout are used to stock Lake Taneycomo and some are provided to the Eastern band of the Cherokee nation in North Carolina for restocking purposes there. More than 15,000 of the endangered pallid sturgeon are reared on site annually and released into the eastern Missouri River in an effort to reestablish this endangered species.

Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00-4:30, Saturday and Sunday 10:00-4:00. The hatchery grounds remain open until 10:00 pm. Gift shop hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 to 3:30, and Saturday, Noon to 3:00. Tours can be arranged by calling ahead, this will allow you to visit the endangered pallid sturgeon buildings.