Rathbun Fish Hatchery

The Rathbun Fish Hatchery is an intensive warm water fish hatchery. The species of fish propagated here grow best in water temperatures between 50 and 90 f°. Channel catfish and walleye are the primary fish species raised at the hatchery. Muskellunge are over wintered and other species may be raised based on stocking requests throughout Iowa. Brood stock walleye are collected in April from Rathbun Lake using gillnets. These fish are taken back to the hatchery where they are spawned before being returned to the lake. Fish produced at this facility are stocked statewide in Iowa ponds, rivers and more than 250 lakes and reservoirs.

Each year, more than 100,000 eight-inch fingerling catfish, 75,000 two-inch fingerling catfish, 70 million walleye fry, 225,000 two-inch walleye fingerlings and 175,000 nine-inch walleye fingerlings are produced at the hatchery.

Athough the rathbun hatchery facility is relatively new, it is not a new project. Planning officially started in December 1970 with construction beginning in March 1974. The facility was dedicated on June 11, 1977. The project cost nearly $6 million with funds coming from three sources. The iowa legislature appropriated $2.3 million from Iowa's general fund. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provided $700,000 and the sale of hunting and fishing licenses financed about $3 million. Annual operating funds are provided entirely by the sale of hunting and fishing licenses. The original design included 40 indoor raceways and 20 semi-circular outdoor tanks. ten one acre ponds were completed in 2000.

Group & Self-Guided Tours

The Rathbun Hatchery is located in Appanoose County about seven miles north of Centerville on road J5T. The hatchery is open year-round Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Large groups must call ahead (641-647-2406) to make an appointment. Small groups are self-guided.