Funds under this grant award will be used to provide for the operation and maintenance of north carolina state fish hatcheries for production of sport fish, and enhance long-term operational…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) a Formula Grant of $4.57 million under the Sport Fish Restoration program (CFDA 15.605) for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. These funds support the operation and maintenance of North Carolina's state fish hatcheries, which are integral to the state's sport fishery management objectives. The hatcheries produce juvenile sport fish species including catchable and fingerling trout, muskellunge, walleye, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, sunfish, white catfish, and channel catfish to support both naturally reproducing stocks and put-grow-and-take fisheries across cold-water, cool-water, and warm-water environments throughout the state.

In addition to ongoing hatchery operations, grant funds support routine maintenance activities essential to long-term operational capabilities, including pond repairs, road maintenance, and building improvements. These investments enable NCWRC to sustain diverse and expanding sport fishing opportunities across North Carolina's freshwater resources, directly supporting the state's recreational angling economy and public access to sport fisheries.

Funds under this grant award will be used to provide for the operation and maintenance of north carolina state fish hatcheries for production of sport fish, and enhance long-term operational capabilities by providing for routine maintenance, such as pond, road, and building repairs. Fish hatcheries play an important role in north carolina s fishery management program. Providing for the continual operation and maintenance is essential to providing many of the sport fishing opportunities in north carolina. The fish produced at the north carolina wildlife resources commission s (ncwrc) hatcheries significantly contribute to the support of freshwater sport fisheries in north carolina. Hatchery-supported sport fish angling opportunities in north carolina are diverse and increasing. Cold-water, cool-water and warm-water fish hatcheries produce and stock juvenile fish, to support RE-establishment of naturally reproducing stocks and support put-grow-and- take fisheries. Production of catchable and fingerling trout, muskellunge, walleye, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, sunfish, white catfish and channel catfish support popular regional fisheries.