AZGFD hatchery staff traveled to Colorado in early May to bring back 15,000 Snake River cutthroat trout from the Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery to be stocked in Luna Lake and Big Lake. This is the second year the hatchery program is stocking cutthroat trout from Colorado.

The trip included two extra days to visit and learn more about the operations of Colorado Parks and Wildlife fish hatcheries. AZGFD staff visited three of Colorado’s premier fish hatcheries in order to participate in and observe operations there and share ideas. They also assisted with one of the first spawns of the year of Colorado River cutthroat trout at the Glenwood Springs Fish Hatchery and then toured the Crystal River broodstock facility before heading back to Arizona with the load of the Snake River cutthroat trout.

AZGFD and Colorado Parks and Wildlife are also developing cross training opportunities for hatchery staff.