Concrete raceways outside of Wigwam Fish Hatchery.

Wigwam Fish Rearing Station

Fish Hatchery Information

 

Wigwam Rearing Station is located on 420 acres near the mouth of the Ten Sleep Canyon, four miles east of Ten Sleep, Wyoming. Game and Fish purchased the site in 1949 and it became a rearing station in 1953. Before 1949, the property was a dude ranch. After operating for over 50 years, Wigwam was renovated from money that was generously allocated by the 2004 legislature, and construction was completed in 2005.

Wigwam Rearing Station Address


39 Wigwam Road
Ten Sleep, Wyoming 82442

(307) 366-2217

Driving Directions

Fish Hatchery Hours:

The hatchery is open to the public 8 am - 5 pm daily.

 

Wigwam Rearing Station Fun Facts

  • Wigwam Rearing Station produces approximately 250,000-500,000 fish annually.
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  • Each rearing tank at Wigwam can hold anywhere from 8,000 to 40,000 fish depending on the size of the fish.
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  • The Bear River cutthroat trout is raised at Wigwam and the fish are an important native fish used for both restoration purposes and for enhancing sport fishing opportunities.
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Hatchery Broodstock

  • Rainbow Trout Illustration
  • Bear River cutthroat trout fish illustration

Wigwam Rearing Station primarily raises rainbow trout and Bear River cutthroat trout. Wigwam is also the home of the Bear River cutthroat trout brood stock, supplying all of the state’s egg needs for this species.

Wigwam Rearing Station also raises Brown Trout, Splake
(Brook Trout X Lake Trout hybrid), Brook Trout, Kokanee Salmon, and Tiger Trout (Brook Trout X Brown Trout
hybrid) from time to time.

Wigwam Water Treatment

 

In 2008, the parasite that causes whirling disease was detected in fish reared at Wigwam. In 2012, water treatment buildings were constructed and ultraviolet radiation systems with drum filters were installed to eliminate the infectious stage of the parasite.

 

Since 2012, Wigwam has been whirling disease free and is back in full fish production.

Rotofilter water treatment unit at the Wigwam Rearing Station

Wigwam Rearing Station Images

  • A fish culturist moves a rainbow trout into a tank at Wigwam Rearing Station
    Moving a rainbow trout into a tank.
  • A fish culturist at Wigwam Rearing Station distributes fish food to fish in a green circular tank.
    Feeding fish in a dual-drain circular tank at Wigwam Rearing Station.
  • A fish culturist looks into a fish distribution truck tank to move fish to a new location at Wigwam
    A fish distribution truck used for moving fish at the hatchery and stocking fish into Wyoming's waters.
  • Filling a fish distribution truck with water in preparation to load it with fish
    Filling a fish distribution truck with water in preparation to load it with fish
  • Netting fish to be loaded on a fish distribution truck and then stocked in Wyoming waters.
    Netting fish to be loaded on a fish distribution truck and then stocked in Wyoming waters.
  • Concrete raceways used for rearing fish at Wigwam Rearing Station
    Concrete raceways used for rearing fish at Wigwam Rearing Station
  • A fingerling-sized trout raised at Wigwam fish hatchery