Hatcheries and Stocking (Public Waters)
Fish hatcheries are an important component of freshwater fisheries management in North Carolina. The Wildlife Resources Commission uses hatchery-reared fish for a variety of purposes, including enhancing existing fisheries and establishing new populations. Each year, Commission staff stocks approximately 6 million fish in public lakes, ponds, streams and rivers throughout the state. The sections below provide more information on the agency’s six fish hatcheries and multiple stocking programs.
Hatchery Supported Opening Day Information
Due to stocking frequency logistics associated with hatchery renovations, not all Hatchery Supported streams will be stocked in advance of Opening Day 2026 (April 4th). Please see below for a list by county of the Hatchery Supported streams that will receive their first stockings after April 4th. Please continue to visit the stocking schedule to find stocking date information.
- Buncombe
- Cane Creek
- Reems Creek
- Cherokee
- Valley River
- Clay
- Buck Creek
- Tusquitee Creek
- Graham
- Big Snowbird Creek
- Yellow Creek
- Haywood
- Cold Springs Creek
- Pigeon River
- Henderson
- Cane Creek
- Hungry River
- Jackson
- Greens Creek
- Savannah Creek
- Macon
- Nantahala River
- Madison
- Big Laurel Creek
- Big Pine Creek
- Little Ivy River
- Shelton Laurel Creek
- Spillcorn Creek
- Swain
- Connelly Creek
- Nantahala River
- Transylvania
- French Broad River