The Maricao Fish Hatchery was built in1937 under the direction of renowned biologist Dr. Samuel F. Hildebrand of the Department of Agriculture and Commerce. The purpose of the hatchery was to study some freshwater fish and introduce new species to the island such as Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Brown Trout (Salmo trutta).
• It’s the only fish hatchery in warm waters that produces Largemouth Bass in the tropics.
• That 50,000 to 200,000 Largemouth Bass are produced and stocked to the local reservoirs each year.
• Largemouth Bass stocked in Puerto Rico can reach the size of 12 inches in a year.
• The biggest Largemouth Bass caught in Puerto Rico was in Dos Bocas Reservoir and it weighed 14 pounds.
The Hatchery visiting hours are:
Thursday to Sunday 8:30 am. - 11:30 am, and 1:00 pm. - 3:00 pm. (Can vary during certain holidays)