Armstrong State Fish Hatchery needs extensive repairs
Flooding and landslides during Hurricane Helene caused extensive damage at NCWRC’s Armstrong State Fish Hatchery, located in McDowell County.
According to NC Wildlife officials, some of the hatchery’s trout escaped during the flooding, but the majority of the 600,000 fish died due to the compromised water supply.
The hatchery is closed indefinitely and requires major repairs before reopening.
Luckily, the Bobby N. Setzer, Table Rock, and Marion State Fish hatcheries are all fully operational after receiving limited damage during the storm.
The Bobby N. Setzer hatchery’s previously planned renovation will be delayed until the Armstrong facility is back to full operation.
Stockings of trout throughout the state’s waters will continue in areas that are deemed fit.
“Staff will continue to evaluate Delayed Harvest Trout Water locations for accessibility to anglers,” said Assistant Chief of Inland Fisheries Corey Oakley. “Every effort is being made to stock all accessible locations so that anglers, both from Western North Carolina, and those who visit, can enjoy Public Mountain Trout Water streams in areas unaffected by Hurricane Helene.”
More information about trout stockings, and about the repairs at Armstrong State Fish Hatchery, can be found at ncwildlife.org/trout.
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