Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
The Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery is a federal, warm water fish hatchery located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, United States. Natchitoches is involved in spawning, hatching and rearing young fish.[1]
Facilities[edit]
Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery is along the Cane River and has 53 ponds, each approximately 0.8 acres (3,200 m2) in area.[2] In addition, the facility has the Harold B. Wales Environmental Education Classroom, which is used for kindergarten through twelfth grade and for teacher workshops.[3] The classroom seats 32 students and has 16 student grade dissecting microscopes.[4]
The fish[edit]
Natchitoches handles six species of fish, in addition to the Alligator snapping turtle and the Louisiana pearlshell mussel.
Paddlefish[edit]
The paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) is the only remaining member of the family Polyodontidae.[5] Paddlefish are spawned and raised at Natchitoches until they are approximately six to ten inches (254 mm) in length, before they are released into the wild.[6]
Striped bass[edit]
Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) are members of the sea bass family. Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery is working to restore the historical range and population levels of these fish.[7]
Pallid sturgeon[edit]
The Pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) is a member of the sturgeon family. The hatchery is working to develop spawning and culture techniques to raise a large number of Pallid sturgeon.[8] Workers at the hatchery hope to raise enough of these fish to take the species off of the Endangered Species List.[9]
Channel catfish[edit]
The Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) is a member of the family Ictaluridae. Natchitoches works to raise many of these fish for release into the wild.
Largemouth bass[edit]
The Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is the most desired of all freshwater game.[10] Because of this, these bass require the attention of resource management agencies. Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery raises over 1 million largemouth bass every year.
Bluegill[edit]
The Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) is a fish that is quite easy to catch. The hatchery raises many of these fish every year.
References[edit]
- ^ http://www.fws.gov/natchitoches/what.html
- ^ http://www.fws.gov/natchitoches/what.html
- ^ http://www.fws.gov/natchitoches/envi.html
- ^ http://www.fws.gov/natchitoches/envi.html
- ^ http://www.fws.gov/natchitoches/what.html
- ^ http://www.fws.gov/natchitoches/what.html
- ^ http://www.fws.gov/natchitoches/what.html
- ^ http://www.fws.gov/natchitoches/what.html
- ^ http://www.fws.gov/natchitoches/what.html
- ^ http://www.fws.gov/natchitoches/what.html