Located at about 6,500 feet elevation in the Tonto National Forest, the Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery is a great place to escape searing desert summer heat, or to frolic in winter snow. The hatchery and surrounding wetland area provide outstanding opportunities for learning adventures and family outings such as picnics, hiking and watching wildlife.

Wildlife : Tonto Creek Fish HatcheryThe unique setting of Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery provides habitat for many wildlife species.

Fish: Apache, rainbow and brown trout are raised at the hatchery.

Birds: Some common birds seen in the area are heron, kingfisher, and osprey.

Mammals: A few fish-eaters such as raccoons have been known to stop by and try to sample trout at the hatchery. In the surrounding areas, whitetail deer, elk, and black bear are found.

A few fish-eaters such as raccoons have been known to stop by and try to sample trout at the hatchery. In the surrounding areas, whitetail deer, elk, and black bear are found.

The Tonto Creek property has been operated by the department as an aquaculture facility since 1938. The property was only two acres at that time. The property was expanded in 1954 and again in 1987 and now comprises 50 acres.

Management goals of the Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery property are to provide for the continued operation of fish culture activities, to protect and enhance the wildlife habitat of the property, and to provide public outdoor recreation opportunities like wildlife watching and educational interpretation.

Arizona's state fish, the Apache trout, was almost lost entirely, but through the efforts of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the White Mountain Apache Game and Fish Department, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service, it has been reclassified under the Endangered Species Act from "endangered" to "threatened." Apache trout are now being stocked into the upper portions of the East and West forks of the Black River as a sport fish.

There are no camping facilities at the hatchery. However, many Forest Service and private camping areas exist along the road into the facility. For more information about camping, contact the Payson Ranger District at (928) 474-7900.