Major Trout Hatchery To Close For Renovations

The North Carolina Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery will be closed in 2026 and expected to reopen in 2028 after major renovations. North Carolina’s trout fishing industry contributed $1.4 billion to North Carolina’s economy in 2022, drawing over 360,000 visitors annually.  

The renovations were originally slated to begin in 2025, but were delayed due to Helene, and is made possible through authorization from the General Assembly.  

“To mitigate the reductions in agency production, we are purchasing some trout from the private sector to supplement our agency stocking,” said NCWRC Inland Fisheries Hatchery Production Supervisor David Deaton in a Jan. 27 news release. “We have also purchased Glady Fork Fish Hatchery in Transylvania County, which will provide additional production and fish-holding capabilities and help offset the production reductions during the Setzer renovation. We have transferred all remaining fish from Setzer to Armstrong State Fish Hatchery and Glady Fork including broodstock and fish to be stocked this year.” 

Setzer Hatchery is North Carolina’s largest tout hatcher. The facility is comprised of a hatchery building with 16 indoor rearing tanks and 54 outdoor raceways. The water supply for the hatchery comes form the Davidon River and Grogan Creek, supplying 3,500 gallons per minute of cold mountain water.  Setzer Hatchery maintains its own strains of brook and, brown trout broodstock. These fish supply the fertilized eggs used to produce successive generations of trout. Mature broodfish are spawned during October and November, and the fertilized eggs are maintained in incubators until hatching, usually 30-40 days. Fish are fed a prepared diet daily, and grow at a rate up to one inch per month. 10-inch “catchable” fish are generally produced in 12-16 months.  

The Selzer Hatchery was built in the late 1950s by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and operated as a national hatchery for more than 20 years. Since 1983, the North Carolina Wildlife Commission has operated and maintained the hatchery for trout production and distribution.  

Here are the answers from the Wildlife Commission on some frequently asked questions:  

• How big of an impact will the hatchery’s temporary closure be for anglers? 
  While the hatchery is under construction during 2026 and 2027, we anticipate a significant reduction in the number of trout available to stock. Our goal is to provide trout angling opportunities at all Public Mountain Trout Waters (PMTW) locations while renovations are being conducted, using a reduced schedule. 
    

• Will stocking occur during the hatchery construction? 
  Yes, all current Hatchery Supported and Delayed Harvest waters will be stocked. Reductions will be spread equitably to all locations; however, the number of trout stocked, frequency of stockings, and species ratios will be modified. The annual stocking schedule dates will be posted on this website. 
    

• When will the number of trout being stocked return to normal? 
  Renovations are scheduled to be completed by late 2027 or early 2028. It will take time to ramp back up to full production to allow for eggs to be hatched and fish to grow to catchable size. While the number of trout stocked and the frequency of stockings will begin to increase back to normal in 2028, it may be 2030 when the hatchery is completely back to normal production. 
    

• Can I still fish for trout in stocked waters during that time? Will there be any additional restrictions? Is trout fishing discouraged during this time to help with the reduced population? 
  Trout fishing in stocked waters will be allowed during the appropriate Hatchery Supported or Delayed Harvest seasons. There are no additional restrictions anticipated. Trout fishing in stocked waters is still encouraged, but we ask that anglers be aware that the number of trout to be caught will be reduced. 
    

• I've already made plans to trout fish during this time. Should I cancel my trip? 
  We encourage anglers to check the annual stocking schedule once posted to ensure that trips coincide with dates the waters are stocked. Wild Trout Waters are another option to consider as well.