Visit Nelson County: Montebello State Fish Hatchery

Montebello State Fish Hatchery

Although this is Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fishery’s smallest hatchery, Montebello gets by far the highest public visitation owing to its location near the Blue Ridge Parkway and the George Washington National Forest. Montebello was originally a private, commercial hatchery. It was operated by VDGIF under a lease agreement from about 1930 until the 1970s when the Department purchased it. Its location east of the Blue Ridge and near some of the most popular trout waters in Northern Virginia makes it a very important hatchery for the agency. It is also the main source of trout for Virginia’s Urban Fishing Program, which is located entirely in the eastern half of the state. About 60,000 pounds of brook, rainbow and brown trout are grown each year at Montebello from fingerlings supplied by other hatcheries. No spawning is done at this hatchery. During 2001, Montebello produced more than 166,000 catchable size trout. All of Montebello’s trout are reared in 33 outdoor raceways that are supplied with water mostly from on-site springs, but also from nearby Mill Creek.

Visitation is highest during October, when many “leaf lookers” take to the Blue Ridge Parkway to enjoy the fall colors. At this time, parking can be difficult. A visitor’s shelter contains a few picnic tables and public restrooms; the restrooms have no electricity or heat. Although it has no formal visitor’s center, staff is readily available to answer questions, and the public is welcome to view fish in the lower raceways. Disabled access is limited because there is no pavement at this facility.

The hatchery is located on Route 690, one-half mile off Route 56, 359 Fish Hatchery Lane, Montebello.
N 37° 50.945 W 79° 07.654

The facility is open daily from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm.

For more information, call 540-377-2418