Mt. Shavano Fish Hatchery, Salida

Purchased in 1956, the Mt. Shavano Hatchery is owned and operated by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The Hatchery staff consists of seven full-time and one seasonal employee.

One of the largest trout units in the state, Mt. Shavano produces approximately 480,000 Whirling Disease Negative, catchable, (10 inch) trout yearly and about 2 million subcatchable fish (2-5 inches) per year. Species such as Rainbow, Snake River Cutthroat, Cutthroat-Rainbow crosses and Kokanee Salmon are raised at the unit.

Fish receive high protein, vitamin rich pellet feed, 2-10 times daily depending on the size of the fish. It takes 12-14 months of intensive culture to produce a 10-inch trout. Fish are loaded into 1,000-gallon fiberglass tanks on flatbed diesel trucks. These fish are planted in lakes, reservoirs and rivers throughout Colorado.

Water for the raceways, ponds and hatchery troughs is supplied from large underground springs. The amount of available water fluctuates seasonally with peak flows during the summer months and low flows throughout the winter. The water temperature varies little with a seasonal average of 50˚F.

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