The Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery, also known as the Charles O. Hayford State Fish Hatchery, opened in 1912. The facility was responsible for trout production up to 1981, when the Pequest Trout Hatchery took over coldwater production. Hackettstown's emphasis then turned to cool and warm water production.

The hatchery is currently responsible for the production and distribution of 15 species of cool and warm water fish depending on annual requests from the Division's regional fisheries biologists. The hatchery also gambusia (mosquitofish) to supply to county mosquito control commissions. Annual production numbers range from 1.5 to 2.5 million fish per year. (See summaries below.) The hatchery is located in Hackettstown, Warren County, along the banks of the Musconetcong River. The facility actually has two separate components, the West Hatchery and the East Hatchery that are situated, as their names imply, on the east and west sides of Hackettstown.

A Greenwood Lake muskie brings a smile to a young angler. Click to enlarge

Hybrid stripers provide great angling! Click to enlarge

The West or main segment (199 acres) consists of a large state of the art fish culture facility, education center, and a 100-acre extensive pond complex consisting of more than 60 earthen ponds. These ponds range in size from .25-5 acres. The East Hatchery (34 acres) is used for extensive production only consisting of 40 earthen ponds, which range in size from .25-1 acre. The main water supply for both hatcheries is 52-degree spring water naturally bubbling out of the ground. The education center at the hatchery is currently closed.

Hackettstown Hatchery Feature Articles

See the many articles penned by Superintendent Craig Lemon and others to learn more about operations - and the fish - raised at Hackettstown. Hackettstown Hatchery Broodstock Collection 2008 Hackettstown Hatchery Broodstock Collection 2007 Hackettstown Hatchery Broodstock Collection 2006 Hackettstown Hatchery Broodstock Collection 2005 Hackettstown Hatchery Broodstock Collection 2004 2004 Fall Channel Catfish Stocking Hackettstown Hatchery Broodstock Collection 2003 is Underway! Hackettstown Hatchery Broodstock Collection 2003 - Part II Fish Production Information and Summaries Fish Species Raised at Hackettstown Trapnetting and Spawning Operations Pond Work and Harvesting Walleye Pond Work - nj.com video Fish Stocking Operations Stocking Summary 2009 (pdf, 64kb) Stocking Summary 2008 (pdf, 62kb) Stocking Summary 2007 (pdf, 70kb) Stocking Summary 2006 (pdf, 30kb) Stocking Summary 2005 (pdf, 73kb) Stocking Summary 2004 (pdf, 30kb) Fish raised and waters stocked 1994-2003 Distribution summaries for 1999; 2000; 2001; 2002; 2003; 2004; 2005; 2006; 2007; 2008; and 2009.

Walleye from Hackettstown can really grow! Click to enlarge