Jasper Fish Hatchery Timeline

1927-1929

Aquatic plants were placed in several lakes near Jasper Park Lodge and brown trout fry were released in Mildred, Edith, Annette and Big Trefoil lakes by Banff hatchery officers. A vacant construction cabin near Cabin Creek was used as a temporary hatchery.

In 1928

190,000 fry were transported to Maligne Lake and the creek between Medicine and Beaver Lakes by pack horse and by 1931 some fish in Maligne Lake had grown to four pounds.

1932

Hatching troughs were set up in the basement of the Jasper National Park Administration Building for eggs and fry brought from the Banff hatchery.

1940

W.C. Cable was transferred from Waterton the Jasper to establish a permanent fish hatchery. Sites at Caledonia and Whistlers Creeks were investigated.

1941-1942

Since the water temperature from the Maligne River was higher than at locations in Banff or Waterton and there was adequate space to build rearing ponds, a decision was made to use a location on the Maligne River to raise trout for the western National Parks.

Plans were drawn up and construction began on the Jasper Fish Hatchery at Sixth Bridge. Conscientious Objectors from the Maligne Canyon Camp were utilized during WWII.

1942

The hatchery building was completed and W.C. Cable was put in charge.

1947

The hatchery superintendent’s house built.

1948

Hatchery utility buildings, including garage and staff housing were constructed.

1950

An auxiliary facility was established near the Cabin Creek townsite water reservoir.

1959

Concrete raceways and a brood pond were constructed.

Pipe was laid to bring water in from the east side of the Maligne River to be used when the Maligne River was too laden with silt.

1973

The Jasper Fish Hatchery closes.

1975

Park Wardens received 50,00 trout fingerlings from a supplier in Ontario. Twenty-one thousand fish were released right away. The remaining fish were placed in holding tanks along Cabin Creek where Jasper National Park employees clipped their fins. These fish were marked to allow Parks staff to assess the stocking