Neosho National Fish Hatchery, Neosho, Missouri
Posted by: 
rainwolf420
N 36° 51.812 W 094° 21.724
15S E 378588 N 4080599
Oldest federal operating fish hatchery! 120 years+!!!
Waymark Code: WM50JK
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 10/21/2008
Views: 25
Established in 1888, with land originally purchased for $2472. Their first water source (Hearrell Spring) cost $1 and provided a 300 gallon per minute flow. In 1907, a second spring (McMahon Spring) was added to increase flow to 1000 gallons per minute. In 1961, undergoing a rehabilitation, 244 acres of land on the Fort Crowder Military Reservation were obtained, and a new hatchery building and 12 new concrete raceways replaced the original 1890 hatching house and facilities. On the land obtained were two more springs, bringing the new total flow output to 1500 gallons per minute, in the 54-64 degree range, annually.
Although their domniant species is the rainbow trout, for Lake Taneycomo, at a capacity of 225,000 (over 85,000 lbs.) 9.5-10 inch rainbow trout... they also raise 3,000 9 inch endangered pallid sturgeon, help protect and maintain endangered blind Ozark cavefish populations, among other species. They are experimentally rearing juvenile mussles, as well as raising freshwater drum to serve as “ host fish” for rearing the Neosho mucket mussels. This hatchery does marvelous work in educating the public and helping to preserve and maintain the Missouri-Ozark ecosystem.
They have a .3 mile paved asphalt walking trail, which circles the hatchery, winding between ponds, raceways, buildings, picnic areas, and beautiful trees. Hatchery grounds are available to the public from dawn til dusk. No unauthorized personnel is allowed on the grounds after dark, by enforcement of the local police department. (Thanks to local hoodlums busting one of the outdoor display tanks.) Please respect the property when visiting, these guys go through a GREAT deal of trouble to keep this little hatchery looking spectacular year round and do an outstanding job of it!
Tours to groups are available, by appointment only. They have a small staff, but always willing to answer questions or provide more information, if needed. Stop in at the very informative and interactive visitor's center to enjoy all the historic displays, watch the videos and see the baby fish. While there, you can get some postcards or a free coloring book for the kids, grab some fish food (available indoors and in vending machines located outside), then wander on outside to the raceways to feed the bigger fish. Always a favorite of visitors to watch the water churn as the fish scramble for a bite.
For more information, or to schedule a group tour of the facility:
Phone: 417-451-0554
Fax: 417-451-4632
Address:
520 E. Park Street
Neosho, MO 64850
E-mail: Neosho@fws.gov
Hours of operation:
Monday - Friday
8 AM - 4:30 PM
Neosho National Fish Hatchery