Community Hatchery Program (CHP) Funding Grant

The Community Hatchery Program (CHP) Funding supports community-based fish culture in Ontario by providing financial assistance to hatcheries for their operating expenses. This funding enhances recreational fisheries and promotes fish population rehabilitation. Eligible hatcheries can receive varying levels of support based on the species, number of fish, and life stage approved for stocking. Additionally, a pool of funds is available for capital improvement projects, allowing hatcheries to enhance their operations further.

Community-based fish culture is built on a foundation of passion, dedication and genuine concern for resource management. Fish stocking and community engagement are two very important components of fisheries management in Ontario. Raising and stocking fish contributes to greater recreational angling opportunities, and helps rehabilitate fish populations.
CHP funding will be allocated to hatcheries to help cover general operating expenses. General operating expenses are those costs that are annually re-occurring or essential for hatchery operations. Every community hatchery who meets the eligibility requirements will receive CHP Funding. The level of funding support allocated will take into consideration the species, number of fish, and the development life stage that the MNRF has approved individual community hatcheries to stock. For example, a hatchery that is approved to stock 10,000 yearling Rainbow Trout will be eligible for greater support than a hatchery that is approved to stock 10,000 Rainbow Trout fry, because of the greater investment required to raise those fish.
CHP Capital Improvement Grant
A pool of money has been established to aid community hatcheries with capital improvement projects that will improve their hatchery operations. Every community hatchery who meets the eligibility requirements will have an opportunity to apply for a CHP Capital Improvement Grant.
NOTE: Community hatcheries can apply for both sources of funding support (CHP Funding and CHP Capital Improvement Grants) within a single CHP Application.