- 14505 Paint Bank Road, Paint Bank, VA 24131
- Hours: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
- Phone: 540-897-5401
- Map & Directions
- Hatchery Manager: Brian Beers
The Fish
Paint Bank has great production for its small size, usually producing 150,000 lbs. of fish a year with only 32 raceways. The hatchery achieves high rearing densities because of several important factors—low head oxygenators, design of raceways and water use, spring water to maintain a comfortable rearing environment, and no major disease issues.
By keeping broodstock (adult breeders) and collecting eggs from the fish every year, Paint Bank Hatchery can produce about 4-5 million brook, brown, and rainbow trout eggs between June and October. Paint Bank is considered a grade A, disease-free facility and participates in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Broodstock Program, shipping surplus eggs to other state and federal hatcheries. On average, the hatchery ships about 1.5 million eggs each year to other hatcheries in other states. In addition, the hatchery provides brook trout eggs to more than 200 schools for the Trout in the Classroom program.
The hatchery stocks approximately 100,000 catchable trout in 27 different waters throughout 10 counties each year. The hatchery also stocks approximately 5,000 fingerlings (2-3 inches) and 5,000 (6-8 inches) advanced fingerlings in five counties. Paint Bank Hatchery transfers approximately 40,000 fingerlings, 95,000 advanced fingerlings, 30,000 catchable fish, and 500–750 trophy-size fish to other DWR hatcheries each year.
Paint Bank Hatchery produces triploids, which are genetically sterile fish used to stock waters that have existing native fish populations. The triploids pose no threat to the native fish in the form of inbreeding or establishing a reproducing population of stocked fish. Triploids also have the ability to grow faster than normal trout after 2 years old.
Background
The hatchery is located in Craig County on RT 311 in the town of Paint Bank, which is near the West Virginia border. Paint Bank Hatchery was built by USFWS and opened in 1960. DWR leased the facility in 1983 and now retains full ownership. Paint Bank Hatchery’s water supply is from three natural springs located on the property that deliver water to the raceways by gravity and underground piping. The water is very clean and normally between 49 and 54 degrees F all year. This is a substantial advantage for raising trout.