Gallagher Fish Hatchery

The Dr. Harry M. Gallagher State Fish Hatchery, in Ruby Valley is the focus of this page. What a fun place to visit - for adults, kids and even those that inhabit that complex, middle, fuzzy area. The hatchery is located in Elko County, Nevada - about four miles north of the Elko - White Pine County line. This page is about the hatchery. But if you come here make sure you do a little historical homework (courtesy of the Ruby Valley School ). For within a radius of 12 miles of this hatchery is the Ruby Marshes - abundant fishing and bird watching, Fort Ruby - Calvary, Pony Express Trail - through Overland Pass, Hastings Cutoff Trail traveled by many covered wagon emigrants headed west including the infamous Donner Party, and the incredibly beautiful Ruby Mountains. My only advice is come with a full tank of gas and a some snacks to munch on.

Links

General

Ruby Valley, Nevada - Ruby Marsh Wildlife Refuge & Area

The Ruby Valley
Elko County, Nevada

Hatcheries In Nevada

Great outdoors: Ruby Lake Wildlife Refuge

Ruby Marsh Trout

This Nevada trophy trout fishery is likely to have you heading for the door with a rod in hand

Shantytown

STATE BOARD Wildlife commission to meet in Overton

GALLAGHER FISH HATCHERY

The Ruby Valley Fish Hatchery became the Dr. Harry M. Gallagher Fish Hatchery on August 26, 1967 by the Nevada State Fish & Game Commission. Dr. Gallagher's long service as chairman of the local board and his untiring efforts to promote fishing in the area warranted this honor.

Brook and rainbow trout have replaced native fish in most places in Nevada. In Elko County and other places in Nevada the streams had been fished "dry." As a result, there was a great deal of concern during the 1 870's to introduce new kinds of fish into state waters.

On September 17, 1909, Elko County Commissioners, established a Fish & Game Preservation Fund. When fish became available from the state hatchery they were planted by ranchers and townspeople. Dr. Gallagher saw a definite need for a local hatchery. Monies were collected from the citizens and as a result a hatchery was built on Trout Creek near Wells.

Eventually the U.S. Government purchased marshlands in Ruby Valley. The Ruby Lake Migratory Water Fowl and Game Refuge was formed and subsequently the government leased 40 acres to the county for a new refuge. The county ran the hatchery on its own until 1947 and fish production continued to increase.

Interested people may visit the hatchery and see firsthand the species that are being raised right here in Elko County.

When reading this poem understand that the 'Painted Lady' referred to here is a yellow butterfly that isn't but kinda resembles a Monarch Butterfly. I'm not sure, but I don't think that Nevada's other 'Painted Lady' mentioned in the poem Nevada would care for a dinner of wildflowers. There again who am I to say.