Neosho National Fish Hatchery

This week we went over to visit the Neosho National Fish Hatchery in Neosho, Mo. It opened in 1888, and is the oldest national fish hatchery still in operation. Unfortunately, they were renovating most of the ponds while we were there so we didn't get to see as many fish as we would have liked.

 This pond was flooded in April 2017, and has debris and trash in it so they are going to have to drain and clean it. The ducks seemed to enjoy it anyway. 

 The kids learned about the life cycles of Monarch butterflies and Rainbow trout. 

The Visitor's Center was built in 2007, and is modeled after the original Visitor's Center that was torn down in the 1950s. We enjoyed walking around the grounds and checking everything out. Water for the hatchery comes partially from nearby Hearrell Spring which provides 300 gallons of water per minute.

The Visitor's Center has a large aquarium and several learning stations that the kids enjoyed. 

 The hatchery raises Rainbow Trout for Branson's Lake Taneycomo, Pallid Sturgeon to be released into the Lower Missouri River, as well as some endangered species of fish and mussels.