The fish hatchery in Saranac Lake is part of a NY State modernization effort.
First established in 1864, New York’s fish hatchery system is the oldest in North America. In the North Country, Saranac Lake’s “Adirondack Hatchery” rears landlocked Atlantic salmon for statewide distribution. Combined, the 12 DEC hatcheries produce up to 850,000 pounds of fish annually that are stocked in more than 1,200 waterbodies statewide. A $100 Million dollar modernization plan was just launched because the average age of the hatcheries is 93 years, and many fish-rearing structures and water supplies are at risk.