Ever wonder where the Trout you caught in one of the many Kettle Ponds on Cape Cod came from? Thankfully, you’ll need to look no further than the local Sandwich Fish Hatchery to find your answer!
This article answers all your questions about the Sandwich Fish Hatchery, including how the Trout are raised there, when they’re moved from the hatchery to local waterways, and even how you can visit.
What is the Sandwich Fish Hatchery?
The hatchery, located in Sandwich, Massachusetts, is an intentional breeding ground for Trout. This hatchery helps stock the local Trout that are eventually brought into other local waterways and ponds.
What is the Hatchery Process?
The process of raising Trout is extremely laborious and can take months. In fact, it takes almost 18 months to raise Trout from hatchlings to 14-inch full-fledged fish.
Mesh Treys
The hatchery process begins with the collection of eggs from the existing hatcheries residences. The eggs are then placed in mesh pans and stored in a vat of water. The water in the vat is kept at 50 degrees Fahrenheit thanks to a constant flow of well water coming from beneath the hatchery.
500-Gallon Tubs
Once the eggs fully grow into fingerlings, a young fish about the size of a finger, they are transferred from the mesh Trey’s into 500-gallon tubs. They reside in these tubs for several months until they reach about 4 inches.
Concrete Enclosures
Once the Trout are 4 inches in size, they are transferred to an outdoor environment that simulates a river. In reality, their outdoor habitat is a concrete enclosure that is covered by netting to protect them from prey.
The water in the enclosure is also constantly kept at 50 degrees, ensuring that even in the freezing Massachusetts winters, the fish continue to grow. The Trout will remain in these concrete enclosures for at least one year until they are moved to other water.
Trout Stocking from Sandwich Fish Hatchery
All the effort that goes into raising the Trout from eggs to full-fledged adults is not done in vain. The Sandwich Fish Hatchery stocks over 50,000 pounds of Trout each year. The majority of Trout goes from Hingham to Fall River but can also be found in all of Cape Cod and some of Martha’s Vineyard.
There is a small stocking season in the Fall; however, the majority of the fish are transported from the hatchery to other bodies of water in early Spring, starting in the first week of March.
Despite the large number of fish being transported each year, the hatchery waters don’t ever sit empty. As soon as the fish are transported from the hatchery, the full cycle moves forward, with fish from the young Trout living in the 500-gallon tanks being moved into the outdoor concrete containers.
How is the Fish Hatchery Paid For?
Since the Sandwich Fish Hatchery is state-run, you may be wondering who pays for the upkeep and transportation of the Trout. Funding for the hatchery is just a cyclical process, just like the hatchery operation itself.
The majority of the money spent on the upkeep of the hatchery comes from the purchasing of freshwater fishing licenses in Massachusetts. Therefore, purchasing a fishing license provides for the stocking and upkeep of the waterways from which the people of Massachusetts fish.
Can You Visit the Sandwich Fish Hatchery?
Yes, you can and should visit the Sandwich Fish Hatchery. It’s a great place to take your kids to watch Trout.
The hatchery is open from 9 AM to 3 PM daily and is free to enter. There is parking available, but there are no guided tours
What Kind of Fish Are Found at the Sandwich Fish Hatchery?
When visiting the fish hatchery, you’ll come across four different types of Trout: Brook, Brown, Rainbow, and Tiger. Rainbow Trout are usually transported to other bodies of water in the Fall, while the rest are transported in the Spring.
Does Massachusetts Have Other Trout Fish Hatcheries?
The Sandwich Fish Hatchery is just one of 5 Trout hatcheries run by the state of Massachusetts. The other locations include:
- Bizery Hatcher
- McLaughlin Hatchery
- Roger Reed Hatchery
- Sunderland Hatcher
For a full list of hatcheries and more information about them, visit the MassWildlife Trout Stocking Page.
Things to do Near the Sandwich Fish Hatchery
If you are looking to make a day out of going to visit the hatchery, there is plenty to do in the area. The Sandwich Fish Hatchery is just a short drive from Springhill Beach, the Cape Cod Canal, or the Heritage Museum and Gardens.
