Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery - NO Fishing - California

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Nov 26

Give your eyes a treat the next time you’re driving through Independence, Cal on the 395. Just north of the town, head west on Fish Hatchery Road to visit the stunning Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery. The amazing architecture of the stone hatchery building, and the beautiful pond out front will tantilize your eyeballs in a most pleasant way.

“Built in 1917, Mount Whitney hatchery was constructed to serve the southern counties in California. The long haul from Mount Shasta Hatchery was rough on the fish, and a hatchery was needed in the south of the state. Spearheaded by Commissioner M. J. Connell of Los Angeles, the location of the proposed hatchery was hotly contested between different sites. Eventually an agreement was made to build the structure on Oak Creek, near the town of Independence. Local fundraising efforts gathered enough money, about $1,850 for the purchase of 40 acres. The hatchery was built from locally sourced granite and has withstood aging and weather for nearly 100 years.”

— California Department of Fish and Wildlife

The hatchery closed in 2008, after the surrounding area were severely damaged by heavy rains that created massive flooding to the previously fire-damaged Oak Creek watershed. The debris flow killed all the rainbow trout, buried the fish rearing ponds and destroyed four buildings.

Feed the fish and the fowl!

The Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery has shifted its focus from raising fish to preservation and education. There are a variety of attractions designed to educate kids about the fish rearing process. Tours can be scheduled, there are fish feeding and wildlife interpretation exhibits, and of course the amazing hatchery building and beautiful pond out front, complete with rainbow and golden trout to feed, and the occasional ducks.