Thursday May 8, 2025
Redheaded Blackbelt —
A grassroots petition to save the Mad River Fish Hatchery is gaining momentum, with nearly 2,000 signatures collected as of Tuesday afternoon. Launched by local fishing guide Tyler Belvin on Change.org, the petition calls on state officials to reverse the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) decision to shut down the hatchery this summer.
Located just outside of Blue Lake, the Mad River Fish Hatchery has been part of the North Coast community for more than 50 years. Belvin’s petition describes the hatchery as “a cornerstone of our community,” emphasizing its role in steelhead conservation, local recreation, and environmental education. “Its closure would not only disrupt these crucial activities,” the petition reads, “but would also significantly impact recreational fishing and local traditions linked to our river heritage.”
CDFW announced the planned closure in a recent press release, citing the hatchery’s limited fish production, extensive maintenance needs, and increased regulatory burdens as key reasons for the decision. According to CDFW Northern Region Inland Fisheries Program Manager Jason Roberts, Mad River’s steelhead program “is no longer viable,” producing only 150,000 fish per year — a fraction of what larger hatcheries like the Trinity River facility release annually.