LARGEMOUTH BASSIn Kansas, whether fishing in a reservoir, state

fishing lake, or farm pond, the most preferred sportfish sought by anglers is the largemouth bass. TheMeade Fish Hatchery is the only state operatedfacility that produces largemouth bass fry in theState of Kansas.

Starting in January, the brood fish are brought intothe Bass Propagation Facility and held in large 40’raceways, during which time the environment isbeing manipulated artificially by adjusting daylength and water temperature. These manipulationsadjust the internal clock of the fish allowing large-mouth bass fry to be produced a month or so aheadof natural reproduction. These fry are then stockedinto water bodies ahead of natural prey spawning sothey can make better utilization of forage fish andgrow bigger in their first year of life. The fry pro-duced are used to fill stocking requests throughoutKansas, or used in grow out production ponds tofingerling sizes to fill different stocking requests.

COME VISIT USThe Meade Fish Hatchery is open year-round.

Tours are available upon request during the yearexcept while largemouth bass spawning is occur-ring. The peak of fish propagation activities occursfrom late March through early May.

TO SCHEDULE A VISIT CONTACT THE HATCHERY AT

(620) 873-2701 or email jason.vajnar@ksoutdoors.com

or write Meade Fish Hatchery 12027 V Rd.

Meade, KS 67864

MEADEFISH

HATCHERY

Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programsdescribed herein is available to all individuals without regard torace, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation,gender identity, political affiliation, and military or veteran status.Complaints of discrimination should be sent to Office of theSecretary, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, 1020S Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66612-1327. 02/12

Serving KansasAnglers For More

Than 75 Years

In 2009, a new 3,960 square foot building wasconstructed for the early intensive spawning oflargemouth bass. This building is referred to as theBass Propagation Facility. The hatchery also has acinder block fish house that contains four 700 gal-lon holding tanks. The water for the BassPropagation Facility and the older fish house issupplied from a second well that pumps 45 gallonsper minute. This well also supplies the two-storymanager’s residence constructed in 1918 and anadobe office/workshop/auxiliary living quartersthat was constructed in 1933. In 1983, a combina-tion shop/fish feed storage metal building was con-structed. Located within the hatchery grounds is aprimitive artesian campground that is maintainedby the hatchery staff and a shelter house that isavailable by reservation.

Fish species cultured at the Meade facility in thespring include; largemouth bass, grass carp, and fat-head minnows. In the summer months, intermediatechannel catfish, bluegill, and koi carp are also pro-duced. During the winter months some of the cul-ture ponds are used for largemouth bass brood fish,fathead minnows and grass carp.

LOCATIONMeade Fish Hatchery

is located 8 miles southand 5 miles west ofMeade in MeadeCounty Kansas. Thisdepartment owned site of 1,244 acres encompassesMeade State Park and Fishing Lake, Meade WildlifeArea and Meade Fish Hatchery. The MeadeHatchery is the only hatchery in southwest Kansas.

HISTORYMeade Fish Hatchery was constructed on land

purchased from the Turkey Track Ranch by theForestry, Fish and Game Commission in 1926.Numerous artesian springs flowing several thousandgallons of water per minute coursed through theproperty, making it in ideal place for fish culture.

In the 1930’s the adobe office/workshop complexwas built as well as additional adobe buildings atthe hatchery and the state park, along with the statefishing lake. This undertaking was done by theCivilian Conservation Corps (CCC), during theGreat Depression.

Over the life of the facility the hatchery has beenused to hatch bird eggs as well as fish eggs.Initially, the adobe complex was used along withtwo other large adobe structures to serve as thestate’s pheasant hatchery. Pheasants were raised

from 1942 until 1964. American Bison and Elk werealso grazed on the west side of the property for pub-lic exhibition for several years. The tall fence thatonce held these herds still stand around the pasturewhere these animals were kept.

THE HATCHERY TODAY

The hatchery consists offifteen ESS-13 lined ponds cov-ering 19.5 surface acres holdinga volume of 44.6 acre feet ofwater. The term ESS-13 relatesto a soil sealant that has beenapplied to the soil to preventseepage. Meade Fish Hatchery isthe first hatchery in the nation to

use this technique to seal ponds. Water for thehatchery ponds is pumped from the Ogallala aquiferusing a 10-inch well that is capable of delivering1,500 gallons a minute for fish production.

Largemouth Bass Fry