The hatchery occupies the site of the original federal fish culture station established by the U.S. Fish Commission in 1883.
It maintains one of the largest collections of native New York freshwater fish species in the region.
The outdoor ponds are fed by the glacial springs of the surrounding Cold Spring Harbor valley.
The facility actively participates in local aquatic conservation programs and environmental education initiatives.
The site was converted from a federal facility to a private non-profit education center in 1982.
The Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium is a non-profit educational facility located on the site of a former federal trout hatchery established in 1883. It features two aquarium buildings housing New York State’s largest living collection of freshwater reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Visitors can feed trout in the outdoor ponds, which contain various age groups of rainbow, brook, and brown trout. The site spans several acres, providing a tranquil environment focused on local aquatic ecosystems. The facility serves as an outdoor classroom for environmental education, offering hands-on experiences with native species. Its history is tied to the 19th-century preservation movement, maintaining historical hatchery structures while modernizing educational exhibits.
The central bridge overlooking the main outdoor spring-fed ponds offers the best view of the historic hatchery layout.
Bring quarters if you wish to purchase fish food for the outdoor ponds.
Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate walking shoes as the grounds include gravel paths and uneven terrain.
Visit during the shoulder seasons to see the trout at their most active due to cooler water temperatures.
Do not attempt to feed the reptiles or touch the fish in the display tanks, as these are restricted, sensitive environments.
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day; open daily throughout the remainder of the year.
Do not throw food into the water other than the authorized fish feed; remain on designated gravel paths.
