Dutton Trout Hatchery at Ebor has reopened its doors, giving visitors a chance to see how two million trout are produced on site each year to enhance freshwater fishing opportunities across the state.
The re-opening of the site to visitors provides an opportunity for locals and visitors to the Northern Tablelands region to see the important work conducted by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Fisheries.
In addition to allocating resources for visitors to return, the department is now recruiting to fill a hatchery attendant role.
NSW DPIRD Director of Aquaculture, Ian Lyall, said the news will be positive for the community.
"The re-opening of the Dutton Trout Hatchery to the public is important for the Ebor and surrounding communities with many local businesses benefitting from the steady flow of tourists attracted to this destination," Mr Lyall said.
"We look forward to seeing a return of visitors so people can learn about the important role of aquaculture for restocking, research and threatened species restoration the department performs for fisheries across NSW."
The visitor facilities were temporary closed to the public recently to allow staff to focus on essential animal husbandry work.
The hatchery has remained fully operational regarding its core work of fish production and maintenance.
All stockings for the 2024-25 season were successfully completed and hatchery staff are currently preparing broodstock ready for the 2025-26 breeding season.
The hatchery is one of two NSW Government facilities for breeding and rearing premier cold water sport fish, the other being the Gaden Trout Hatchery in the NSW Snowy Mountains region.
Dutton Trout Hatchery produces both Rainbow and Brown Trout, with two million fish bred annually, before they are released into selected public rivers and lakes in the New England and Central West regions of NSW.
In addition to producing stock to enhance recreational fishing opportunities, the site provides community and tourist education and local employment.
The site operates as a self-guided facility for visitors with hatchery staff on site to supervise and assist when needed.
It consists of a tourist complex with a display aquaria, hatchery recirculation shed for adult broodstock, two cottages, machinery sheds, five earthen fish ponds and a 50 megalitre water storage dam.
Situated along the Serpentine River, the hatchery grounds include a picnic area, barbeque facilities and toilet amenities available for visitors to use for free.
The Dutton Trout Hatchery is located at 336 Point Lookout Road, Ebor, and open to visitors 7 days a week from 9.00am to 3.00pm.
