The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center is located on Rt. 46 nine miles west of Hackettstown in scenic Warren County. On-line directions are available. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) and for scheduled programs. Admission is free.

Programs requiring registration are marked with an asterisk ( * ). Registration opens two weeks prior to program date. Group programs are also available. For registration or information call 908-637-4125.

DECEMBER

*Rizzo's Reptile Discovery
Friday, December 12 at 6:30 p.m.
Rizzo's Reptile Discovery brings lizards, snakes, frogs, turtles, and insects to teach everyone about reptiles. Their mission is to bring parents, children and people of all ages together to appreciate and learn about our natural world. They believe the love of wildlife is universal and hands-on participation is the greatest teacher. Rizzo's Reptile Discovery strives to teach everyone about the wonder and joy that nature has to offer. Registration is required.
Program Flyer (pdf, 124kb)

JANUARY

*Mid-Winter Celebration
Friday, January 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Join Pequest staff and Dove Environmental Education as we celebrate the winter season. Fun and games highlight the many wonders of winter, while teaching us about the season. Registration is required.

MARCH

*Wild Turkey Seminar/Calling Clinic
Saturday, March 7 at 1:00 p.m.
Division Director and Wildlife Biologist Dave Chanda conducts our annual program about the state's largest game bird. The Wild Turkey Restoration Project and the life history of the bird will be highlighted, as well as some hunting tips. Immediately following the seminar, members of the NJ Chapter of the Wild Turkey Federation will conduct a turkey calling clinic. Registration is required.

APRIL

Annual Open House and Fishermen's Flea Market
Saturday and Sunday, April 4 and 5 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Come celebrate the arrival of spring and the opening of trout season at the Pequest Trout Hatchery. There are activities for people of every age. Come see some of NJ's wildlife artists, taxidermists and carvers. Get to know some of NJ's conservation groups and learn what they do for NJ's natural resources. Visit with historical reenactors or learn how to safely shoot a shotgun or bow. There are many activities for kids including fishing in our education pond for kids between the ages of 8 and 16 (all equipment provided), younger kids can try to catch a fish in our kiddie trout tank, or join our staff to learn about insects and fish biology. You can even take a self-guided tour of the hatchery and see where more than 600,000 trout are raised each year for NJ's rivers and streams.

Be sure to visit the NJ Endangered Wildlife Exhibit now at Pequest.

Weather fans take note: The Pequest Trout Hatchery has become the newest link in Rutgers University's weather station network. The hatchery is now the site of one of 13 stations throughout the state that feed data to the state's weather and climate monitoring system. To view current weather conditions visit: http://climate.rutgers.edu/njwxnet/station.php?s=1029.