Forest Park - Fish Hatchery

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Last Updated: December 24, 2025

Forest Park Fish Hatchery is located in the city of St.


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Summary

Louis, Missouri and is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The hatchery is spread across 42 acres and contains several ponds, streams, and wetlands. The hatchery is home to a variety of fish species including bass, catfish, and trout.

One of the main reasons to visit Forest Park Fish Hatchery is to learn about the process of fish breeding and the important role that hatcheries play in maintaining healthy fish populations. Visitors can take guided tours of the hatchery and see the different stages of fish development, from eggs to juveniles, and adults.

There are several points of interest to see at the hatchery, including the Conservation Center, which houses exhibits on Missouri's natural resources and wildlife. The hatchery also has a gift shop where visitors can purchase souvenirs and educational materials.

Interesting facts about the Forest Park Fish Hatchery include the fact that it is one of the oldest fish hatcheries in the country, having been established in 1897. The hatchery has produced over a billion fish and is responsible for stocking Missouri's rivers and lakes with fish.

The best time of year to visit the hatchery is during the spring and summer months when the fish are most active. The hatchery is open year-round, but some facilities may be closed during the winter months.

Overall, the Forest Park Fish Hatchery is a great destination for anyone interested in learning about fish breeding and conservation. Visitors can see a variety of fish species up close and learn about the important work being done to protect Missouri's natural resources.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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