Facility Rules and Policies

General Regulations

In addition to these provisions listed below, all state laws, county codes and federal regulations apply to the hatchery. If you have any questions about the legality of any activity, please contact the hatchery office.

Do not enter areas signed as closed or authorized personnel only.  Recreational users should park outside the entrance gate to avoid being locked in. Visitors wanting to see the hatchery are welcome to park in the designated visitor parking area near the main building. The paved access round beyond the main building is for authorized vehicles only.

Rules and Policies at Green Lake National Fish Hatchery
  • Hatchery grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset with exceptions for hunting.
  • Vehicles must stay on designated access roads and parking areas.
  • No overnight parking without authorization.
  • No overnight camping.
  • No Smoking or Alcohol: Smoking, vaping, and consumption of alcoholic beverages are prohibited on hatchery grounds.
  • Campfires and fireworks are prohibited.
  • It is illegal to remove or disturb any wildlife, plants, artifacts, or other government property.
  • Littering is strictly prohibited.
  • The public use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility task vehicles (UTVs) is prohibited on hatchery property.
  • The use of drones; taking off, landing and/or flying on or over hatchery land is prohibited.
  • Pets are permitted on a leash.
  • Abandoning, discarding or otherwise leaving any personal property is prohibited.
  • Commercial enterprise, without a special use permit. is prohibited.
  • Use or possession of any illegal drug or drug paraphernalia is prohibited.
  • Possession of a firearm inside any building is prohibited.
  • The discharge of firearms is prohibited except for hunting. 

Trail usage

Public use of designated trails (Hastings Trail, Hatchery Loop, Paved Admin Road) for recreational activities such as walking, hiking, leashed dog-walking, trail-running, snowshoeing, scheduled educational tours, photography, and wildlife observation is permitted during daylight hours (i.e., legal sunrise to sunset). Trail users are encouraged to outside of the entrance gate.

Fishing

  • Fishing at Green Lake National Fish Hatchery will be conducted according to the State of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Regulations.
  • Fishing is permitted in Graham Lake/Reeds Brook from hatchery property.
  • Fishing hours are from sunrise to sunset.
  • There is no access to Green Lake from hatchery property.

Hunting

  • Hunting on Green Lake National Fish Hatchery property will be conducted according to the State of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Regulations.
  • In addition to state laws and regulations the following hatchery specific regulations are in place:
    • Night hunting is prohibited.
    • Trapping is prohibited.
    • The use of game or trail cameras is prohibited.
    • Baiting or hunting over bait is prohibited for all species.
    • Hunters are allowed entry into the hatchery one hour before legal sunrise and require hunters to leave the hatchery no later than one hour after legal sunset.
    • Only portable stands and blinds for hunting are allowed.  Hunters must remove them at the end of the day.  No tree cutting or trimming or pruning of branches is allowed on the hatchery property.
  • No special hunting permits, other than the state-required hunting license, are required for hunting at Green Lake National Fish Hatchery.  State hunting licenses are available online.
  • Hunting is prohibited in the designated No Hunting Zones. 
    • No Hunting Zones include areas around hatchery infrastructure and the hatchery entrance parking area.

    • No Hunting Zones are marked with signs approximately every 100 feet.

      Map of Green Lake National Fish Hatchery trails with no hunt zone
      Image Details