Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery

Overview

Just 11 miles below Hoover Dam on the Arizona side, Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery sits on the Colorado River within Black Canyon. Operated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, it supports both conservation and recreation—raising endangered natives like razorback sucker and bonytail chub while producing around 100,000 rainbow trout annually for nearby waters.

What You’ll See

Walk the outdoor raceways to watch trout schooling and learn how the team rears rare Colorado River fishes. It’s a quick, satisfying stop if you’re already at Willow Beach: peek behind the scenes of the fish that power local angling and recovery programs.

Tours and Trout Stocking

The hatchery offers staff-guided and self-guided tours, and routine rainbow trout releases happen on Fridays—fun to witness if you time it right. Kids and anglers especially love seeing a stocking day in action.

How to Visit

Hours are Monday–Friday, 7 am–3 pm; the hatchery is closed on weekends. Facilities at the hatchery itself aren’t heavily advertised; use the restrooms and parking at the adjacent Willow Beach marina/campground area. From there, it’s a short walk to the hatchery near the river.

Make It a Half Day

Pair a hatchery visit with time on the water or shoreline at Willow Beach. Marina services nearby include a store, rentals, fuel, a boat launch, an accessible fishing pier, and even a grill—easy to combine with paddling, fishing, or a picnic.

Best Time to Visit

October–April brings cooler temperatures and mellower crowds along the river corridor. Aim for morning hours for comfortable temps and softer light, or swing by on a Friday morning to catch a trout stocking. Summer afternoons can be brutally hot in the canyon; plan short, shaded stops.

Wildlife Notes

Beyond the tanks, scan the cliffs for desert bighorn sheep and watch the river for waterfowl and swallows. Cold, clear releases from Hoover Dam keep the river chilly year-round—great for trout, brisk for swimmers.