Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 57

The raceways at Oswayo State Fish Hatchery.

The private hatchery near Oswayo continued to operate
well into the 1960s, offering fish for sale and fee fishing on
the property. In 1968, the private hatchery and surrounding
grounds owned by Mottern were purchased by PFBC after
several years of negotiations. On June 24, 1968, the purchase
was made final using $150,000 through Project 70 funds.
Project 70 was a new program allowing for the borrowing and
issuing of bonds to acquire lands that were to be used for State
Parks, reservoirs, recreation and other conservation uses. The
PFBC's Commissioner Robert Rankin was instrumental in
the acquisition of the land and facility. Commissioner Rankin
described the long-range plans for the new facility as "a firstclass production station" and "quite a tourist attraction."
Trout production began shortly after purchase, using
existing equipment and facilities. Ray Merriman was
employed as Hatchery Superintendent. In the Spring of
1971, the Oswayo State Fish Hatchery played a full role
in propagation and distribution of trout for the upcoming

Oswayo State Fish Hatchery provides adult trout stockings in
six counties.
www.fishandboat.com

trout season. Renovations
came to Oswayo State Fish
Hatchery in 1973 when a
grant was secured for the
development of the hatchery
and surrounding grounds. A
multi-purpose building was
constructed, which contain
offices, hatch house, a garage
and a workshop. Concrete
raceways were added to
replace the earthen ponds and
a water recirculation lagoon
was installed. Many of those
improvements are still in use
today at the facility.
More improvements
came in 2001 when several
environmental controls were added to the facility. A synthetic
liner was added to the hatchery's effluent settling pond, and
monitoring equipment was added to the hatchery discharge.
The Oswayo State Fish Hatchery proved its worth in 1974
when a water leak at PFBC's Big Spring State Fish Hatchery
required the relocation of 650,000 trout. Using nine stocking
trucks, PFBC staff relocated the fish to the Oswayo State Fish
Hatchery over the period of four days. Later that year, the
fish were returned to the Big Spring State Fish Hatchery once
repairs were made.
The Oswayo State Fish Hatchery has come a long way in
the past 50 years. As methods and practices in fish culture
change, the hatchery has made changes as well. Currently,
the hatchery employs a manager, foreman, clerk typist, four
full-time fish culturists and one seasonal fish culturist. If
you ever find yourself in northern Potter County, stop by
and see the hatchery for yourself. Hatchery staff are always
willing to show visitors the facility and answer questions. The
Oswayo State Fish Hatchery has a Visitor's Center located in
the main building, complete with interpretive displays, maps,
pamphlets and other publications for the public. In addition,
there is a trout pond with all the types of fish raised at the
hatchery including a few blue trout. Visiting hours are from
8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily, and large groups are welcome.
Please call ahead to schedule a tour for large groups.

Oswayo State Fish Hatchery Display Pond
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * November/December 2019

http://www.fishandboat.com

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019

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