The New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game operates six state fish hatcheries for the purpose of raising and releasing fish into New Hampshire lakes, rivers, and streams.
Fish hatcheries are similar to fish farms, except that fish bred in hatcheries are released into natural water bodies, rather than sold for immediate consumption. This “fish stocking” is done both to restore waning fish populations and to make sure that anglers, who pay for fishing licenses, have enough fish to catch.
Trout and salmon are reared in the six state-run hatcheries and then released as hatchlings (2 to 2.5 inches in length ) into 350 lakes and ponds and 1,500 miles of rivers and streams.
“Every year the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department stocks nearly a million catchable-sized trout for your angling enjoyment.”
— New Hampshire Fish and Game
Environmental Degradation
An unfortunate side effect of mass producing fish in close quarters is that a significant amount of fish excrement, uneaten fish food, dead and decaying fish, and other waste accumulates and must be dealt with.
The Powder Mill Fish Hatchery, which is operated by the NH Department of Fish and Game, discharges its wastewater into the Merrymeeting River, which flows into Lake Winnipesaukee.
For many years the system in place to filter wastewater from the hatchery worked adequately. Whatever waste still managed to make its way into the Merrymeeting River was recycled through natural processes.
Then around 2015, residents along the river began noticing harmful algae blooms. It seems the river was no longer able to keep up with the amount of phosphorus originating from the Powder Mill Fish Hatchery. A lawsuit was brought against the NH Department of Fish and Game and is ongoing. (Photo credit: Conservation Law Foundation)