Orangeburg National Fish Hatchery

Established in 1911, Orangeburg National Fish Hatchery is a warm-water hatchery located in Orangeburg, South Carolina.  Originally built to stock lakes and ponds with warm-water fish, the hatchery has grown into a major conservation facility that produces millions of fish and other aquatic species each year to support fisheries and restore threatened wildlife throughout the southeastern United States.

Today, Orangeburg is the largest producer of Atlantic striped bass in the National Fish Hatchery System. In addition to striped bass, the hatchery raises American shad, lake sturgeon, channel catfish, bluegill, redbreast sunfish, gopher frogs, and the endangered Carolina heelsplitter mussel.  Visitors can enjoy a public aquarium, walking trails, observation deck, picnic area, and a 100-acre reservoir for fishing and non-motorized boating.

⭐ Federal Fish Hatchery

🐟 Atlantic Striped Bass Production & Native Aquatic Species Conservation

Address: 427 Lakeview Drive, Orangeburg, SC 29115

Phone: (803) 534-4828

🔗 Official Hatchery Website

Species Raised

🐟 Atlantic Striped Bass
🐟 American Shad
🐟 Lake Sturgeon
🐟 Channel Catfish
🐟 Bluegill Sunfish
🐟 Redbreast Sunfish
🐸 Gopher Frog
🦪 Carolina Heelsplitter Mussel

Services & Features

✅ Public visitor access
✅ Public aquarium with native aquatic exhibits
✅ Self-guided observation walk
✅ Observation deck overlooking production ponds
✅ Walking trails
✅ Outdoor education area
✅ Picnic area
✅ 100-acre reservoir for fishing and non-motorized boating
✅ Birdwatching and wildlife viewing
✅ Native and endangered species conservation

Visitor Information

Visitors can explore the hatchery’s public aquarium, walk the one-mile observation trail around the fish production ponds, and enjoy the observation deck overlooking the reservoir.  The facility also offers an outdoor classroom, picnic area, birdwatching opportunities, and a 100-acre reservoir where visitors can enjoy fishing and non-motorized boating.  Families, anglers, photographers, and nature lovers will find plenty to see throughout the year.

The hatchery is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM–4:00 PM.