WHAT: Join us at the Roxbury Fish Culture Station in Roxbury, in its 130 years of operation, to commemorate the grand reopening. Originally constructed in 1891, the hatchery was destroyed by Tropical Storm Irene on August 28, 2011. Since then, efforts have been made by many to restore Vermont’s oldest fish hatchery. The department, along with support from Governor Scott, state legislators and representatives, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the State of Vermont Buildings and General Services, and E.F. Wall and Associates Inc., the facility reached the milestone of substantial completion on September 23, 2020, and is now back online at full operation.

WHEN: Thursday September 16th – 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Roxbury Fish Culture Station

3696 Roxbury Road, Roxbury, VT 05669

WHO: Vermont Fish & Wildlife, Senator Sanders, Senator Leahy’s office, Representative Welch and the State of Vermont Buildings and General Services.

WHY: The Roxbury Fish Culture Station (FCS) will produce and provide 25,000 pounds (63,000 fish) of brook and rainbow trout for stocking rivers, lakes and ponds statewide. These fish will provide angling opportunities for thousands of Vermonters, which has proven more important than ever with an increase in fishing activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous studies from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service showed the Roxbury FCS contributed about $2.4 million dollars of economic impact to the state annually. An important tourist destination in Central Vermont, “the fish hatchery,” as it is known, the Roxbury FCS will continue to be an important mainstay of Vermont’s history, culture and economy.

Media Contact: Jeremy Whalen 802-485-7568