Located mere minutes from the center of independence it is just off of highway 395 via. Worlds largest fish hatchery to be built here, and the story says it will. The hatchery was named to the national register of historic places on january 6, 1983. Dec 09, 2017 the mt whitney fish hatchery was the largest and best equipped fish hatchery in california at that time. When construction was completed in 1917, it was the largest and best equipped hatchery in california and could produce 2 million fish fry per year. Mt whitney, ghost towns, fish hatchery, alabama hills, movie locations, film museum, manzanar.
Cabins 2 night minimum requirement checkout is 11 am and check in is after 3pm. Explore the location mt williamson motel and basecamp. When i took this photography, there were 4 to 10 pound breeding trout in the shaded pool. Whitney fish hatchery, united states to visit historic site in. The state agreed and the mt whitney fish hatchery opened in 1917. Cdfw is temporarily closing its high public use areas, including visitor centers and license counters, to help slow the spread of covid19 coronavirus. Located mere minutes from the center of independence it is just off of highway 395 via a short paved road that climbs east towards the sierra nevadas.
Williamson and extending westward to the valley now called san joaquin. Welcome boulder creek rv resort was opened in october of 1992 by the hickmans and has ever since been a family owned resort. The facility was built and operated by the california. Mammoth lakes fish hatcheries hot creek and fish springs. The mt whitney fish hatchery was the largest and best equipped fish hatchery in california at that time. The wellresearched book is full of interesting stories and historical photographs, from the hatcherys inception to its current prominence in inyo county history. However, in the summer of 2008, a flashflood in those denuded foothills brought a torrent. About three miles northwest of independence is the mt. The historic mount whitney fish hatchery is again open to the public after being closed by a devastating mudflow in july 2008. Built in 1916, it has supplied trout eggs to other hatcheries in california and other western states. Mount whitney hatchery california department of fish and wildlife.
Whitney fish hatchery is a beloved fixture of the community. Hwy 395 bishop, ca 93514 760 8735828 fax 760 8735830 museums laws railroad museum galleries galen rowells mountain light gallery 106 s. Whitney is a representation of our regions rich culture and history. Previous stocking efforts had been providing largebodied fish that did not reproduce well in our smaller inland lakes, especially under changing climate conditions. Though we no longer hatch fish, we organize tours, fish feeding, and wildlife interpretation exhibits. Whitney fish hatchery prepares to celebrate its 100th birthday press release it has been said that, at its best, preservation engages the past in a conversation with the present over a mutual concern for the future. Whitney fish hatchery independence 2020 all you need. Information or cookie data from advertising partners and publishers. After the slide show presentation, the friends will also be featuring a book signing with author david woodruff on the friends new book, a history of the mt. Fwp owns or operates 12 hatcheries annually stock approximately 50 million fish annually into approximately 836 lakes and reservoirs and approximately 23 rivers or streams throughout montana.
Before heading to a cdfw facility, contact the regional headquarters office to determine if that facility is open. On either side, mountains two miles high wall in this long troughshaped valley the sierra nevada on the west, the inyowhite mountains on the east. The fish hatchery is no longer funded by the state of california so the. Get premium, high resolution news photos at getty images. The mount whitney fish hatchery, located in independence, california, in the united states, is an historic fish hatchery that has played an important role in the. Photography points of interest independence all towns all types all activities the mount whitney fish hatchery, located in independence, california, in the united states, is an historic fish hatchery that has played an important role in the preservation of the golden trout, californias state fish. The bozeman hatchery is the fourth oldest national fish hatchery. Whitney portal family campground located up a narrow road west.
Since its inception in the early 1900s, our facility has served as a crucial component of the local culture. From quality fish production to absolutely stunning surroundings, mt. Discover captivating exhibits and aweinspiring architecture when you visit mt. A quick view of the lake and outside of building at mount whitney fish hatchery in lone pine, california. Great for outdoor enthusiasts fish, boat, hike, 4wheel, trail ride, star gaze. Inyo county courthouse about 1890 independence, ca independence, seat of inyo county since 1866, lies toward the south end of owens valley. Whitney fish hatchery lone pine chamber of commerce. In july 1931, the mount whitney fish hatchery and the colorado fish commission traded 30,000 colorado river cutthroat trout eggs for 25,000 golden trout eggs. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the 48 contiguous states, a beautiful recreation area with many activites and the trail head to climb the mountain. Theres nothing more exciting than learning about the history of your own backyard. Mt whitney historic fish hatchery on highway 395 california. Getting in touch with wildlife in independence, ca. This book is available with additional data at biodiversity heritage library. Whitney fish hatchery bishop visitor information center.
The fish chapter was expanded to include the various endemics, again fish that most will never see. Whitney fish hatchery this is a real find one thinks of a generic fish hatchery and perhaps doesnt realize the historical significance and visual impact of this particular one. Its not cheap to raise fish to catchable size, and when anglers are only catching 15 percent of the stocked fish, those become pretty expensive trout. Whitney fish hatchery, we offer a fun, engaging wildlife interpretation experience. The mt whitney fish hatchery was built in 1915 and is a great stop for anyone who appreciates history and how the easter sierra helped to become one of americas greatest outdoor sporting areas.
The shady grounds and main pond are excellent for relaxing, a picnic, and fish viewing. The hatchery building, completed in 1916, is a beautiful and unique structure with handlaid stone walls and handhewn timbers. Mt whitney fish hatchery the mt whitney fish hatchery in. Boulder creek rv resort lone pine campgrounds good sam club. Search the history of over 431 billion web pages on the internet. This program is the sole source of california golden trout eggs, currently operated by the nearby black rock fish hatchery since the closure of mt whitney hatchery in 2008. The building was built in 1917 with the help of the local community. A large collection of books and historical information is available for research purposes by. Whitney hatcherys centennial celebration, the friends have collaborated with local author david woodruff to create a book titled a history of the. The research program in fish passage and screening at the bozeman fish technology center bftc is a longterm, multiagency partnership between the montana state university ecology department, msuwestern transport institute, and the bftc to address fish passage informational needs in the great plains and rocky mountain region. Unfortunately its closed until april so i couldnt get inside this gorgeous historic building. The grounds of the hatchery resemble an old european country estate with lush vegetation that is. We learned about the history of the native fish and how trout are raised and. Wholesome, affordable attractions can be hard to find.
The first trout hatched in 1917 were from eggs collected at rae lakes. Mount whitney hatchery has been closed for hatchery use. May 05, 2003 the fish chapter was expanded to include the various endemics, again fish that most will never see. Whitney fish hatchery the mt whitney fish hatchery is the largest and bestequipped fish hatchery in california and is under the jurisdiction of the state fish and game commission. The fish hatchery has played an important role in the preservation of the golden trout, californias state fish. Dive into the history of raising fish when at our fish hatchery.
Publication date 1986 topics fish hatcheries management. Boulder creek is in association with aaa and good sam, a 10 % discount will be applied when making reservation if you are a member. Bozeman fish technology center united states fish and. The mt whitney fish hatchery is located right off highway 395 on oak creek rd just north of independence. The bozeman national fish hatchery was authorized by an act of the united states congress on august 5, 1892. Boulder creek rv resort lone pine campgrounds good sam. When you need to plan an educational outing without breaking the bank, visit mt. Previous stocking efforts had been providing largebodied fish that did not reproduce well in our smaller inland lakes, especially under changing climate. Mudslide destroys infrastructure of the mt whitney fish hatchery, just north of independence, ca. Historic mount whitney fish hatchery sierra nevada. Whitney fish hatchery brings to life the stories of the many successes and challenges the great hatchery has endured over its many years, and serves also as a reminder that it is the commitment and determination of the dedicated men and women that envisioned, built, served and saved it, that has helped mark this landmark as. Information on purchasing licenses, permits, tags and other entitlements, can be found on cdfws online license site. Mt whitney fish hatchery the mt whitney fish hatchery in i.
Reward mine independence 2020 all you need to know before. History of mount whitney hatchery built in 1917, mount whitney hatchery was constructed to serve the southern counties in california. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you. The long haul from mount shasta hatchery was rough on the fish, and a hatchery was needed in the south of the state. Whitney fish hatchery visitor center, and other retailers throughout the eastern sierra. It is the only hatchery to produce golden trout, californias state fish. A brief history of the eastern sierra landmarkthe mt. The program is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served. Many of the trout fingerlings were planted in eastern sierra creeks and lakes, fingerlings that were sent to other areas, were transported in a special railroad fish car 2nd photo equipped with an aerator system to keep the fish alive until they reached their destination. The initial purchase of land for the hatchery was on may 20, 1893, and consisted of. Mount whitney hatchery california department of fish and.
Whitney fish hatchery, a little over 3 miles northwest of independence, is a wonderful place to visit. To find it you will need some patience and suv, preferable 4wd because of driving uphill on gravel road. This triggered a massive debris flow that killed all the rainbow trout, destroyed four buildings and buried the fish rearing ponds. It is the favored site for high school graduation, summer weddings, and family picnics.
Whitney fish hatchery here is a route to swiftly sweep you from the sunbaked valley floor into a cool oak grove high on the sierra slope. The mount whitney fish hatchery is a few miles north of independence on highway 395. The fish hatchery is no longer funded by the state of california so the tour is run by a few dedicated local volunteers. Mountains, movie stars, small town history in independence, ca. Built in 1916 on land donated by the citizens of independence, it was the second state hatchery built in california. As a historical trout hatchery, we operate an interactive fish feeding exhibit for all ages. The hatchery, which is located in inyo county, and the surrounding area were severely damaged in 2008 when heavy rains pounded the already fire damaged oak creek watershed. Long, long ago there lived in what the white man calls owens river valley, two tribes, one, the paiutes, occupying the eastern side and the slopes of the inyo range, the other the waucobas on the western side on the slopes of the sierras and in particular the region about mt. Hotels in lone pine, ca best western frontier motel. The mount whitney fish hatchery, located in independence, california, in the united states, is an historic fish hatchery that has played an important role in the preservation of the golden trout, californias state fish. Situated in a picturesque landscape, our hatchery offers a glimpse into local history through a variety of engaging exhibits. Mt whitney fish hatchery is great for kids and grownups to see huge trout that one can feed. Great place, great history, just make sure they are opened. Speed limit in and out of the park as well as around the park is slow.
Reward mine independence 2020 all you need to know. Whitney fish hatchery independence 2020 all you need to. We strive to teach children in the independence, ca, area about the fish rearing process. With striking early 20th century architecture, our building serves as both a tourist attraction and a venue for weddings and. Fwps hatcheries provide eggs and fish to support both sport fisheries and native fish restoration programs in montana and neighboring states. Whitney fish hatchery into our independence online road trip planner and find out whats close by, where to stay, and where to head next. Whitney fish hatchery museum of western film history. Four wheel drive is kind of a must if you really want to get up to mine itself and driving in is a scary blast of a time. Cdfw fish hatcheries california department of fish and. The hatchery nor the grounds were not damaged by the fire. If youre looking for a fun yet educational excursion, you came to the right. Oct 23, 20 a quick view of the lake and outside of building at mount whitney fish hatchery in lone pine, california. The grounds of the hatchery resemble an old european country estate with lush vegetation that is kept immaculate year round.
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