Over a century ago, it was recognized that conservation measures were necessary to maintain good fishing in our public waters. Fishing has always been one of America’s leading forms of outdoor recreation. The Warm Springs Regional Fisheries Center is endeavoring to preserve this tradition for present as well as future generations of Americans. |
| General Information |
 The Warm Springs Regional Fisheries Center was established in 1990. The Center was established as the final step in developing a field station in the Southeast Region's fishery program that would incorporate a centralized Fish Health Center, two National Fish Hatcheries, and a Fish Technology Center into a single complex.
The Warm Springs NFH consists of 56 acres with 40 ponds totaling 18.23 acres of water. The hatchery's primary area of concern is Georgia but work performed benefits species throughout the 10-state Southeast Region.
Three sturgeon species are currently on station: shortnose, Gulf and lake sturgeon. Gulf Coast strain striped bass are cultured and distributed for restoration work in the Gulf of Mexico. Robust redhorse are hatched and reared on station for recovery of this species.
Aquarium Hours: 8 am to 4 pm daily. The Aquarium is closed on federal holidays. |
| Facilities |
Fish Health Center
The Fish Health Center was established in 1989, and it has the capability to provide state-of-the-art fish disease diagnostic and fish health certification services to a variety of national fish hatcheries, state fish hatcheries, and private fish farms. Triploid grass carp certification inspections are also provided to private fish farmers in the ten southeastern states.
Fish Technology Center
The Fish Technology Center was established to improve and enhance management effectiveness by providing consolidated technical operational support to Regional fisheries operations, fish culture technical development, and the Service’s technical assistance to the emerging private aquaculture industry. The Fish Technology Center is comprised of a Cryopreservation Laboratory, Conservation Genetics Laboratory, and the National Fish Strain Registry at Warm Springs, Georgia, and a field station at Bears Bluff National Fish Hatchery in Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina. |
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Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery
The facility is a warmwater hatchery that was authorized by Congress in 1898 and established in 1899. The species of fish propagated here do best in summer water temperatures that reach 75 degrees to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Species such as striped bass, sturgeon, and paddlefish which are vital to the fishery resources of the Southeastern United States and the Atlantic Coast are raised here and stocked in cooperation with the various State game and fish agencies. Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery is one of many hatcheries located in the Southeastern Region. These hatcheries serve a vital role in the management of our fishery resources.
Bears Bluff National Fish Hatchery
Bears Bluff National Fish Hatchery is a unit of the Warm Springs Fish Technology Center, a component of the Warm Springs Regional Fisheries Center, Warm Springs, Georgia. |
| Station Goals |
 Restore and manage interjurisdictional coastal and riverine fishes such as shortnose sturgeon and Gulf sturgeon.
Develop hatchery product evaluation techniques.
Develop culture techniques for native fishes and other aquatic animals. Recover species listed under the Endangered Species Act, such as: the endangered shortnose sturgeon, Gulf sturgeon and the imperiled paddlefish. |
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| Fish Species and Capability |
Gulf striped bass, including eight-year classes of captive reared broodfish. Lake sturgeon
Endangered shortnose sturgeon, including captive reared broodfish. Threatened Gulf sturgeon, held for development of culture techniques. Alligator gar Robust redhorse Freshwater mussels
Facilities include a large recirculated intensive culture/ holding system; a large tank for holding large fish species; a large recirculated egg incubation/larval rearing system; and numerous holding and intensive rearing tanks.
Water supply is from three springs; one spring supply has the capability of being buffered to meet the requirements of individual species. |
| Public Use Opportunities |
Beautiful surroundings and natural environment. Aquatic display for off-site presentations.
Public aquarium and visitor’s area. Environmental education and public outreach opportunities to visitors, school groups, and various other organizations. |
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| Services Provided To |
| Federal agencies including other Fish and Wildlife Service program offices. State agencies. Native American Tribes. Military bases. Universities. Non-governmental organizations (NGO’s). The public. |
| Contact, Address, Directions & Website |
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery
Phone: (706) 655-3382 - Address: 5308 Spring Street Warm Springs Georgia 31830
Directions From Atlanta, GA: Take I-85 south towards Newnan. Take Exit 41 (Moreland/Greenville exit) and turn left onto US-27/GA-14/GA-29. Continue to follow GA-27/GA-41 to Warm Springs. Turn right at three-way (intersection) stop sign in Warm Springs. Regional Fisheries Center is located a half mile on left.
Directions From Columbus, GA: Take GA-85/Manchester Expressway north to Warm Springs. Turn right onto GA-27/GA-41. Turn right at three-way (intersection) stop sign in Warm Springs Georgia. Regional Fisheries Center is located a half mile on left. |
Directions From Macon, GA: Take US-80/GA-22 west towards Talbetton. Continue to follow US-80/GA-22 for approximately 57 miles. Turn right onto GA-41 and follow for approximately 14 miles. Turn left onto W. 2nd Street/US-27 Alt/GA-41 in Manchester, GA. Turn right onto US-27 Alt/GA-41. Regional Fisheries Center is located approximately 4 miles on right.
Directions From Auburn, AL: Take I-85 north towards Atlanta. Take Exit 14 (Lagrange exit) and turn right onto US-27/GA-1. Continue to follow US-27/GA-1 for approximately 14 miles. Turn left onto GA-18/Greenville Hwy. Follow GA-18 for approximately 7 miles. Turn right onto GA-194. Follow GA-194 for approximately 5.5 miles. Turn right onto GA-27/GA-41 to Warm Springs Georgia . Turn right at three-way (intersection) stop sign in Warm Springs. Regional Fisheries Center is located a half mile on left.
Warm Springs Fish Hatchery Website |
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