<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Brandywine Trout Club - Hatcheries

home page

go to history

go to Join

go to projects

go to hatcheries

Go to Trophy Trout Program Information

Go to kids

Go to events

Go to members only rodeo

Go to dhala

Go to newsletters & articles

Go to useful Links

  Hatchery/Nursery Operations

    From our early beginnings in 1955 when we raised approximately 3,000 Trout in the ponds at Kerr Park, we have made significant investments over the years in nursery operations to accommodate the increased fishing opportunities on the East Branch of the Brandywine Creek and Beaver Creek.

    At one time the Brandywine Trout and Conservation Club operated three local trout nurseries, which was more than any other local organization or cooperative nursery.  At that time we raised approximately 14,000 to 16,000 Brook, Rainbow, Brown, and Palomino Trout fingerlings.  These fish help to supplement the states stocking program providing a robust fishery not only in the spring, but also throughout the year.

Locust Springs Nursery

   Our first "raceway" was built and approved by the state in October of 1981.  The 50ft long x 4ft wide x 2ft deep raceway received it's full allocation of  2,200 trout in June of 1982.  Approximately 1,200 were stocked the following year.  For the period 1983 to 1994 this nursery raised 1,500 Brook Trout annually.  In 1995, as a result of development pressure our water source disappeared.

Devereux Nursery #1

    In 1982 we gained approval  for our Devereux nursery site in East Brandywine.  Located in a secluded springhouse, this site has excellent conditions for raising Brown Trout.  The club received it's first delivery of 2,500 fingerlings in June 1983 and approximately 925 were stocked the following year.  While this site provides an excellent location to raise Brown Trout, the club is not allowed to raise trout due to a new development which is under construction at this time.  The new development will put stress on this water source and it will most likely disappear in the near future.

Purdue Trout Nursery

    In 1985 opportunity presented itself with an additional nursery site in East Bradford.  Approved by the state in July 1985, we received 1,300 trout in 1986, stocking 794 trout the following year.  A major renovation project was completed in 2000 and 2001 providing for a concrete bottom and adding a sectioning wall to allow for better control of new fingerlings as well as protection from predators.  This nursery was responsible for delivering between 4,500 and 6,000 fingerlings for stocking.

    This property has been bought by the township and is no longer in use as a trout nursery.

Kerr Park Trout Nursery

    During this period, a major improvement was made to the original nursery in Kerr Park.  With assistance from the Borough of Downingtown, and significant funding generated through club fundraisers, the club converted one of the open ponds to a raceway 90ft long x 4ft wide x 2ft deep.  This nursery has a limestone source making it ideally suited for raising trout.  At that time this nursery consistently received about 4,000 fingerlings annually from the state and delivered 3,000 for stocking in each of the following years.

Devereux Nursery #2

      Since these humble beginnings, we have continually made improvements at each of these facilities while they are in operation.  Perhaps the single largest improvement was the installation of Sweetwater aeration systems in each nursery.  Enabling a higher level of dissolved oxygen in the water has allowed the club to increase the number of fingerlings that can be raised in each nursery.  It has also improved the percentage of  fish stocked relative to the number of fingerlings received from the state.


Brandywine Trout & Conservation Club - BrandywineTrout@comcast.net
Website Designed by www.raspberry-creative.com