Hot Creek Fish Hatchery

Not far from Mammoth Lakes Airport off California Highway 395 is the Hot Creek State Fish Hatchery. Each year, this facility raises roughly three million trout, which are then taken away to stock Sierra Nevada lakes and streams. An additional 20 million eggs from here are also distributed to other fish hatcheries throughout the state.

The reason this particular hatchery is so prolific is the abundance of freshwater warm springs. At Hot Creek, in particular, geothermal activity sends scalding water up from the ground through underwater vents to mix with the cold waters of Mammoth Creek. This creates the ideal temperatures for breeding trout throughout the year, as well as excellent natural conditions for angling. Tui chub, rainbow trout, and brook trout are the species indigenous to the area.

Operated by the California Department of Fish and Game, the Hot Creek State Fish Hatchery is open to the public from 8am to 4:30pm daily. The address is Star Route 1, Mammoth Lakes, California 93546, which is about 3.5 miles south of the junction of Highways 395 and 203. A sign indicating the way is clearly visible when coming from any direction. There is no charge for access or admission.