CT Rep. Ferraro Visits Quinebaug Valley State Trout Hatchery

From the Office of State Representative Charles Ferraro: State Representative Charles Ferraro participated in a guided tour of the Quinebaug Valley State Trout Hatchery located in Central Village, Connecticut.

Constructed in 1971, the Hatchery sits on approximately 2,000 acres of state owned land and is responsible for the production of the majority of the state’s trout. The Hatchery encompasses four main areas:

• The Hatch House is used to incubate and hatch the fish eggs. When the fish reach 3” in size, they are moved to the intermediate tanks.
• Intermediate Tanks consist of 30 circular tanks 20 feet in diameter. Each tank can hold up to 30,000 3" fish. The fish remain in these tanks until they are 6-8" in length when they are transferred to the outside grow out tanks.
• Grow Out Tanks consist of 40 external circular tanks 50 feet in diameter. They are covered by netting to control predatory birds. Each tank can hold up to 13,000 6-8" fish. The trout will remain in these tanks until they are ready for stocking.
• Brood Stock Raceways consist of 20 raceways 50' long by 6' wide. Brood stock are the fish that provide the eggs needed for use in the hatch house.

“I spent many years studying Fishery Biology during my time at Murray State University, and it was great to see how the field has advanced over the years,” said Rep. Ferraro. “New technology upgrades at the Quinebaug Valley Hatchery are improving the working conditions and creating a healthy supply of fish in our rivers, streams, and ponds.”

Rep. Ferraro continued to state, “I am proud of the work being done at the Quinebaug Valley Hatchery, especially during tough budget times. Quinebaug is finding new ways to save money by utilizing technology, and this effort should be applauded. Instead of targeting our state’s Fish Hatcheries the Governor should first focus on reducing unnecessary spending, for example, spending $250 on the Hartford XL Center. “

Quinebaug also has an onsite children’s fishing pond, which is regularly stocked with fish.

Rep. Ferraro holds a degree in Biology and went to Murray State University in Kentucky where he was a Masters’ of Science Degree Candidate in Fishery Biology.

Image via the Office of State Representative Charles Ferraro