 The
Canyon Creek Hatchery raises approximately 250,000
catchable-sized trout and 500,000 to 750,000
fingerlings (3 inches) each year. It is fairly
common for this hatchery to have hundreds of
thousands of eggs and small fish in the hatchery
building during the spring and summer. To grow
a fish to catchable size takes approximately
18 months.
Canyon Creek Hatchery is nestled under the Mogollon
Rim and sits at 6,600 feet in elevation near
the headwaters of Canyon Creek.
The hatchery is located approximately 45 miles
east of Payson on Highway 260. Turn south off
260 onto Young Road (Forest Service Road 288)
and travel south for three miles, then turn east
on Forest Service Road 33 (located under the
power line) and travel five miles to the facility.
The roads are dirt from 260 south.
Young Road is a very wide well maintained road
and FR 33 is a narrow dirt road. The last five
miles of road to the hatchery are steep and winding,
which require a great deal of caution, especially
during the winter months.
Visitation hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 7 days a
week except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Special features: There is a visitors center and self guided tour through the facility.
The hatchery is located in the footprint of the
Rodeo-Chediski Fire, providing an impressive
view of fire impacts. There are camping areas
in the vicinity. A trip to the site makes an
excellent family outing. During the winter months,
it is not unusual to view eagles at the property.
Species cultured: rainbow trout, cutthroat trout
Areas Stocked: Distribution
generally occurs from April to September in the
Mogollon Rim
lakes and through the White Mountain lakes.
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