Each winter for the last decade, the Kings River Fisheries Management Program (KRFMP) has incubated 300,000 rainbow trout eggs in streamside incubators located along the banks of the Kings River. The young trout that hatched from these eggs were released into the river with the hopes that they would someday grow into healthy adult rainbow trout contributing to the population.
In early 2012, the KRFMP signed a long-term lease agreement with Fresno County for use of a 300 square foot steel building located along the banks of the Kings River. The building now houses two 15-foot long rearing troughs which accommodate two raceways a piece, replacing the old stream side incubators. The Incubator Building allows for greater control of environmental conditions, provides more room for trout fry and still maintains the overall capacity of the streamside incubators. In addition, the Incubator Building serves as a tool for public outreach. Since it’s opening in 2012 the building has hosted a variety of small public groups and school groups interested in learning about the fishery and the salmonid life-cycle.
The Incubator Building was funded by the KRFMP and a generous grant from the Martin Family. The Martin Family Grant was administered by the Kings River Conservancy.