Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium

Welcome to the Fish Hatchery & Aquarium

After 99 years as a New York State trout hatchery, we opened as a non-profit educational center dedicated to educating our visitors about the freshwater ecosystems of New York. We are proud to have the largest living collection of New York State freshwater reptiles, fishes and amphibians. Visitors can tour our two aquarium buildings and eight outdoor ponds, feed the hungry trout, and try our “Catch & Keep” fishing.

FOR OUR CALENDAR OF SPECIAL EVENTS CLICK HERE

Summer Camps

Give your young explorer a summer surrounded by nature. Hands-on outdoor adventures, nature crafts, live animals and more! 

Close Encounters of the Natural Kind 

For students entering Kindergarten
$35 per day or $130 for four days
One day programs will introduce participants to the Hatchery and surrounding natural environment through outdoor activities, arts and crafts. Different themes each day allow participants to sign up for 4 different programs: Fancy Fish (Mondays), Turtle Tuesdays, Amazing Amphibians (Wednesdays) and Recycling (Thursdays).

Curious Naturalists

For students entering grades 1-2
$90 for Members, $100 for Non-members
Curious Naturalists will view the natural environment in and around the Hatchery. The curiosity of the participants will be encouraged through natural expeditions to the neighboring pond and woodland habitats. Children will get wet and muddy during hands-on activities.

Pond Adventures

For students entering grades 1-2
$20 for all participants
Curious Naturalists will have an opportunity to spend an extra day exploring Franklin’s Pond. Must have participated in Curious Naturalists during 2016 before the Pond Adventures program.

Cool Experiments for a Hot Day

For students entering grades K-2
$35 for all participants
Young scientists can cool off during a hot summer day while experimenting with ice and making homemade ice cream.

Oobleck!

For students entering grades K-2
$35 for all participants
Slime is a sticky, slippery substance used by many animals to help them survive. Students will make their own gooey slime and meet animals that use slime to help them survive in the wild.

Mad Scientist for a Day

For students entering grades K-2
$35 for all participants
Step inside the Mad Scientist Laboratory for a day of fun and crazy science experiments.

Wild & Wacky Weather

For students entering grades K-2
$35 for all participants
Tornados? Snow? Rain? Clouds? The weather can be wild and wacky sometimes. Learn all about the weather with fun hands-on experiments.   

Field Explorers

For students entering grades 3-5
$125 for Members, $135 for Non-members
Field Explorers have fun learning the facts concerning our environment. Children will become more aware of our delicate environment as they explore the nearby salt marsh, pond and woodland habitats. As we wade through the water, we will study the environment and the animals that inhabit our field sites. Prepare to get wet and muddy!

Junior Biologists

For students entering grades 6-8
$125 for Members, $135 for Non-members
Dive deeper into the field of biology as Junior Biologists learn how to study and explore our environment. Students will use scientific techniques to explore the salt marsh, freshwater pond and woodland habitats. Be prepared to get wet and muddy!  

Pond Experience

For students entering grades 3-8
$45 for each participant
Field Explorers and Junior Biologists will have an opportunity to spend an extra day exploring Franklin’s Pond. Must have participated in Field Explorers or Junior Biologists during 2017 before the Pond Experience program.

Salt Marsh Exploration

For students entering grades 3-8
$45 for each participant
Field Explorers and Junior Biologists will have an opportunity to spend an extra day exploring the salt marsh. Must have participated in Field Explorers or Junior Biologists during 2017 before the Salt Marsh Exploration program.

Outdoor Photography Fun

For students entering grades 2-6
$30 for Members, $35 for Non-members
Young students will learn how to use a camera to capture photographs of animals and nature. Bring your own camera or borrow one from the Hatchery. Each student will be able to take their pictures home.

Orienteering

For students entering grades 3-5 and grades 6-8
$50 for Members, $60 for Non-members
Campers will learn how to use a map and compass to complete navigational challenges around the Hatchery and while hiking through the neighboring St. John’s Pond Preserve.

Fly Fishing Techniques

For students entering grades 3 and up
$60 for Members, $75 for Non-members
Learn the art of fly fishing. Lessons in fly tying and fly casting will be taught.

Turtle Trackers

For students entering grades 5 and up
$50 for Members, $60 for Non-members
Learn about these fascinating reptiles that have roamed the Earth for millions of years. Students will practice techniques used by scientists to collect and study turtles. We will be spending a lot of time outdoors, and hopefully catch a few turtles!

Supervised Lunch
$20 per day
Is your child participating in more than 1 camp program on the same day? A supervised lunch will be available on the following days for children attending both the morning and afternoon camps. Bring a bagged lunch.

Naturalist-in-Training

Learn what it is like to work at a summer camp while you gain leadership skills and participate in fun, outdoor adventures. 

Pollywog Adventures

Tuesday & Wednesday Mornings - 10am. Begins September. Free with admission to the Hatchery & Aquarium.

Join us for an hour of fun-filled nature activities (fish feeding included).  

Crafts ~ Stories ~ Games. Coffee, Tea, Juice & Snack will be available.

Birthday Parties

Consider having your child's birthday party at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium this year.

All birthday parties include a 1 year Family Membership to the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium.    

Live Animal Encounter:

See the Hatchery & Aquarium's live exhibits. Feed the hungry trout and learn about fish, reptiles and amphibians with an up close animal encounter. For children turning ages 3 and up. 

Fishing:

Party goers will enjoy a 45 minute fishing bonanza followed by your desired festivities. Fishing is catch and release only. For children turning ages 4 and up. 

After Hours:

Want to have the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium to yourself? The Hatchery is now available for rent after hours. Parties can be scheduled to begin after 5pm or 6pm on summer weekends. 

Exhibits 

Walter L. Ross II Aquarium Building

Robert Koenig Memorial Pond

Hatch House & Rearing Pools

Trout Ponds

Warm Water Pond

Turtle Pond

Round Ponds

Tidal Raceway

Tidal Creek Observation Platform

Fairchild Exhibit Building

Click LIVE EXHIBITS  to see MORE about our exhibits 

Catch & Keep Trout Fishing

Every Friday through Tuesday: 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm

Fishing NOT offered on Wednesdays & Thursdays

June, July & August: Sat. & Sun. Additional Session 4pm-6pm

Spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations.

Admission + $5/session.

All trout caught MUST be kept and are $4 per fish.

Bring your own fishing equipment or rent from the Hatchery.

Rules & Regulations:

• Fishing is on a first come, first serve basis, no more than 12 fisherpeople on the fishing platform at a time.
• Only paid fisherpeople may enter the fishing platform.
• Fishing will only take place on the fishing platform during designated times.
• Fishing poles may be rented from the Hatchery, one hook & bobber included in the rental.
• Rental fees must be paid at the time of rental.
• Bait and additional hooks & bobbers may be purchased in the Gift Shop.
• Part of the fishing experience is baiting and removing fish from the hook yourself.
• Personal fishing equipment, with the exception of fly fishing rods, may be used.
• The Hatchery is not responsible for the loss or damage of personal fishing equipment.

** A fishing fee of $5 per person will be paid before entering the fishing platform.

** All trout caught must be kept. ** No catch and release fishing.*

** All trout caught will cost $4 per fish.