Fairport Fish Hatchery

Overview

The Fairport Fish Hatchery was originally established in 1908 with construction culminating in a grand opening in 1914 attended by over 5,000 people. The Fairport Fish Hatchery is a warm-water extensive culture station located on the Mississippi River along Iowa Highway 22, eight miles east of Muscatine in Muscatine County. Twenty ponds and nearly 18 acres of water are used to hatch and raise warm-water angling favorites like walleye and bluegill. Adult walleye are captured each year from various areas of the Mississippi River for spawning activities and quickly released after eggs and milt are collected. Funded by a $47,400 REAP Conservation Education Program grant, the historic interpretive trail system throughout the 60-acre Fairport Hatchery site is open for the public to explore. The North Trail tells the story of the living quarters where staff lived. The South Trail highlights the Fairport Hatchery operational facilities both past and present. Eighteen stops along the trails feature interpretive signs about each historic site, many of which include QR Codes directing visitors online to more in-depth video content about each sign.

PHONE: (563) 263-5062

EMAIL: andy.fowler@dnr.iowa.gov