Richmond Hill & Bryan County Guide

Richmond Hill Fish Hatchery

The state hatchery on Hatchery Drive raises Georgia’s striped bass, and opens its ponds to kids for free fishing days.

A Living Richmond Hill guide · Updated October 2026

At a glance

Address
130 Hatchery Drive, Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Run by
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division
Phone
(912) 727-2112
Best-known for
Free Kids Fishing Events (2026: Saturday, June 6 and Saturday, Sept. 26)

The Richmond Hill Fish Hatchery is one of Georgia’s state fish hatcheries, run by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Resources Division. Most people in town know it for one thing: the free kids’ fishing mornings, when its ponds fill with catfish and families line the banks.

What the hatchery does

According to Georgia DNR, the Richmond Hill hatchery is the only producer in the state of Atlantic striped bass fry, hybrid striped bass fry and white bass fry. After the eggs hatch, the young fish spend about 30 days in rearing ponds until they’re roughly an inch long, then they’re harvested and hauled to rivers and lakes all over Georgia for stocking.

The hatchery finished a major renovation in 2019. DNR said the new hatchery building can raise fry production by more than 25 percent over the old one and saves water with a recirculating system in the incubation room.

It also raises catfish for Georgia’s Kids Fishing Program: about 50,000 a year, 8 inches long, DNR told WTOC in 2026.

Kids Fishing Events

The hatchery hosts free Kids Fishing Events on its ponds. In 2026 there were two: a spring event on Saturday, June 6, and a fall event on Saturday, Sept. 26. Both ran 8 a.m. to noon. For the September event, organizers said:

  • It’s free and open to kids 15 and younger.
  • No registration and no fishing license are needed.
  • Bring your own pole and bait. The city’s tip: hot dog pieces and chicken livers, a catfish favorite.
  • Bring something to take your fish home in.
  • There were kayaks on the water and an archery trailer on site.

DNR says past events have drawn more than 200 kids and their parents. The dates change from year to year, so watch our events calendar and Hi‘s Week Ahead for the next one, or call the hatchery at (912) 727-2112.

Visiting outside event days

DNR doesn’t publish visitor hours or tour times on a page we could verify. If you’d like to see the hatchery on a normal day, call (912) 727-2112 first. The number is the DNR office at the hatchery.

Find it on the map

Frequently asked questions

When is the next kids fishing event at the Richmond Hill hatchery?

In 2026 the hatchery held events on June 6 and Sept. 26. Dates for 2027 haven’t been announced; we’ll post them on our events calendar.

Do kids need a fishing license?

Not for the Kids Fishing Event. Organizers said no license and no registration were required for children 15 and under.

What fish does the hatchery raise?

Atlantic striped bass, hybrid striped bass and white bass fry (it’s Georgia’s only producer of all three), plus catfish for kids’ fishing events.

Can you tour the hatchery?

Tours aren’t advertised. Call the DNR office at (912) 727-2112 to ask.

More outdoors in Richmond Hill

Sources

  1. Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division, “First Striped Bass Since Renovation: Richmond Hill Hatchery,” bulletin, April 19, 2019: sole producer of striped bass, hybrid and white bass fry; rearing time and size.
  2. Georgia DNR, “Fresh Fish From Renovated Richmond Hill Hatchery,” bulletin, May 13, 2019: renovation, 25 percent capacity increase, recirculating water.
  3. WTOC, “Richmond Hill Hatchery to host annual Kids Fishing Event,” Sept. 24, 2026: event details, 50,000 catfish a year, 200+ past attendance, phone.
  4. Living Richmond Hill events calendar: Annual Spring Kids’ Fishing Event (June 6, 2026) and Annual Kids Fishing Event (Sept. 26, 2026), from City of Richmond Hill announcements.

Facts checked October 15, 2026 by the Living Richmond Hill team. Have the 2027 dates? Tell us.