This award funds operation and maintenance activities at alaska department of fish and games ruth burnett sportfish hatchery (rbsh) in fairbanks, alaska

The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 7 awarded the Alaska Department of Fish and Game $525,560 under the Sport Fish Restoration program (CFDA 15.605) for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. This formula grant funds the operation and maintenance of the Ruth Burnett Sportfish Hatchery (RBSH) in Fairbanks, Alaska, which produces over 545,000 fish annually, including Chinook and Coho salmon, Rainbow trout, Arctic char, and Lake trout. These fish are stocked across multiple locations in Interior Alaska to increase recreational fishing opportunities and reduce pressure on natural wild stocks.

The award supports comprehensive hatchery operations and maintenance activities including facility grounds landscaping, road and parking area upkeep, water treatment systems, building repairs, snow removal, plumbing, electrical and HVAC services, aquaculture equipment maintenance, and general administrative functions. Additionally, the funding enables hatchery staff to conduct egg takes to utilize wild broodstock for Lake trout, Chinook, and Coho salmon from the Chena, Salcha, and Delta-Clearwater Rivers in Interior Alaska, supporting the program's mission to restore, conserve, and enhance sport fish populations and public access to recreational fishing resources.

The rbsh produces over 545,000 fish (chinook and coho salmon, rainbow trout, artic char, and lake trout) every year, which get stocked at over multiple locations across interior alaska. Fish stocked by rbsh provide managers options to increase fishing opportunities and to reduce pressure on natural stocks. Operational and maintenance activities include: grounds landscaping, road and parking areas, water treatment filters and systems, building repairs, snow removal, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, aquaculture equipment, general administrative functions, and discharge permits. This award also funds hatchery staff to conduct EGG tales to utilize wild brood for lake trout, chinook and coho salmon in the chena, salcha, and delta-clearwater rivers in interior alaska.