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Fish produced at this facility are stocked statewide in Iowa farm ponds, rivers and more than 250 lakes and reservoirs. Annually, more than 200,000 large fingerling catfish, 100,000 small fingerling catfish, 50 million walleye fry, 150,000 walleye fingerlings and 22,000 largemouth bass fingerlings are produced at Rathbun. In addition, more than 75,000 four- to six-inch catfish are provided for county conservation boards and cities each year for their caged-catfish rearing programs. Tours:
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The
Rathbun Hatchery is located in Appanoose County about seven miles north
of Centerville on road J5T. Although the Rathbun Hatchery facility is relatively
new, it is not a new project. Planning officially began in December 1970
with construction beginning in March 1974. The facility was dedicated on
June 11, 1977. The project cost nearly $6 million with funds coming from
three sources. The Iowa Legislature appropriated $2.3 million from Iowa's
general fund. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provided $700,000, and the
sale of hunting and fishing licenses financed approximately $3 million.
Annual operating funds are provided entirely by the sale of hunting and
fishing licenses.
The
Rathbun Fish Hatchery is an intensive warm water fish hatchery. That is,
the species of fish propagated here grow best in water temperatures between
50 and 90 °F. Channel catfish is the primary fish species raised
at the hatchery; however, other species include walleye, saugeye, and largemouth
bass and are used statewide. Brood stock channel catfish are maintained
at this facility and annually provide more than 1 million fry for use across
the state. Brood stock walleye are annually collected in April from Lake
Rathbun from gill nets. These fish are taken back to the hatchery where
they are spawned and are then returned to the lake. The facility has the
ability to raise a number of species to large fingerlings for use in a
number of fishery management and research applications.
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