South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

Walhalla State Fish Hatchery

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What species of fish do you raise?
    We raise rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout. Of these, only the brook trout is native to our State. Rainbow trout were introduced from the west coast and brown trout from Europe. Both rainbow and brown trout have established "wild" populations in South Carolina.
  2. How often do you feed the fish?
    The trout are fed one to three times a day. Younger fish require more frequent feeding and larger fish that are ready for stocking are fed less often.
  3. What do you feed them?
    They are fed a high-protein pelleted diet that contains a high percentage of fish meal. Protein levels are typically 38 - 45%.
  4. Where do you get eggs?
    Our brown trout eggs come from two and three year old trout that we keep here at the Hatchery under the cover. The rainbow and brook trout eggs are shipped to us from other State and Federal Hatcheries.
  5. When do you stock the trout?
    Trout are stocked throughout the year. The majority of fish are stocked in the spring and fall when stream conditions are optimal. Lesser numbers are stocked in the heat of the summer and cold of the winter. During peak stocking season, we often send out two truckloads of fish 5-6 days a week.
  6. Where do you stock?
    Most of the stockable fish (9"-12") are stocked in streams and rivers of the upstate area (Oconee, Pickens and Greenville Counties). The stocking sites for these waterways are usually easily accessible bridges or pull offs by the water. Many trout are also stocked in Lake Jocassee to enhance the trophy trout fishery. Trout are stocked in the tail waters of Lake Hartwell and Lake Murray in the winter and spring when the waters are cool enough for trout. We also stock fish by helicopter to inaccessible locations on the Chattooga and Chauga Rivers.
  7. How many fish do you raise?
    In a typical year, the Hatchery produces approximately 500,000 trout for stocking the public waters of South Carolina. We also provide eggs and small fingerlings to other State agencies.