Mt. Shavano Hatchery

Located in Salida, Colorado, the Mt. Shavano Hatchery is a prominent cold-water fish hatchery known for being one of the largest trout units in the state. Established in 1956, it originally began as a privately owned facility with a modest setup but was later acquired by the state. The hatchery plays a crucial role in raising approximately 420,000 catchable trout and 2.6 million subcatchable trout and kokanee salmon each year, including species like Rainbow trout and Snake River cutthroat. Visitors can appreciate the hatchery's efforts in fish conservation and its scenic location at the base of Big Baldy Mountain near the Arkansas River headwaters.