Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery Reviews

We really enjoyed our visit to the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery! The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly love what they do. Feeding the trout was a highlight, and seeing the two-headed 8-year-old snake was fascinating! A great short, educational stop to stretch your legs and learn something new.

Nice staff. Clean restrooms and lots of great educational flyers for the conservation in the state. Bring some dollars for fish food to feed the trout.

Small but nice exhibits inside about how the hatchery works. It is free to visit. When inside, the receptionist will change your dollars into quarters for the fish food you can buy for 25 cents a handful from a vending machine, Bring a baggie or a cup to hold the fish food pellets; there is only one vending machine, Very friendly staff. The hatchery is located near the base of the dam.

Great place to take kids and to learn about the rainbow and brown trout that are raised there. There is a guided tour you can take or you can check out on your own. I remember coming here as a teen and then my own kids. Now bringing grandkids! You can purchase fish food for 25 cents. Bring a disposable cup or two for the food. A lot easier than carrying it in your hands. Lots of fun watching the fish eat the food.

Wonderful Experience! Kids love the animals on display, the big trout aquarium, and especially feeding the fish outside! The short video was so interesting and informative, too! Brand new visitor center is beautiful and staff is welcoming and knowledgeable. Best of all, it's FREE! (Fish food costs a whole quarter in the feed vending machines.)

This was our first visit since the remodel; what a wonderful transformation.
The new facility is well-conceived, well-maintained and visitor friendly (and free, though donations are greatly appreciated).
The staff, as before, are welcoming and accommodating.
The introductory film continues to provide a nice orientation; and the exhibits are fresh, informative and engaging. The enlarged aquarium adds more visibility of the trout and their markings.
One can still enjoy feeding the fish,and seeing them through their stages of development.
And the whole complex, indoors and out; continues to tell the story of the development and conservation of this wonderful natural resource.
It also continues to remind one, that Branson (and its surroundings) has much more to offer, than just shows and shopping.

A very nice visitor center. We enjoyed the short video about trout & the hatchery. The 2 headed live snake was definitely unusual. The trout runs were full of different sizes of fish. Visitors may feed the trout. The staff was extremely nice.

This is a special place that the whole family will love. Kids feeding the fish outside is Hilariously Fun. Can anyone say feeding Frenzy. If you want to escape from the mayhem of the artificial Branson. Come here and enjoy but keep it to yourself. The Locals prefer this place and I do also. Enjoy the National unspoiled Branson on the lake. Extra tip; take the drive up from the fishery across the dam. Theirs a Chateau on a beautiful hill that reminds me maybe of one of the Ludwig Castles in Germany. In fact I saw a lot of German influence in the Hotel. Unfortunately My memory slips on the name. The pictures I supplied were from that Chateau/ Castle on the Hill. You can't miss it if you drive the road on top of the Dam coming from the fishery.
Beautiful ❤️ peaceful vacation. I hope you love it like I do.

The new information center is so nice! There are a few live animals to see. We enjoyed walking outside and seeing the fish in the runs. We also walked down to the water after visiting the center.
Enjoyable free activity while visiting Branson .

What a hidden gem! Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery is a must-visit if you're in the Branson area. My family of 5 really enjoyed this place!

The staff was super friendly and genuinely informative. They offer scheduled 30 min tours that take you through the fascinating process of raising trout—from collecting and fertilizing eggs to full-grown swimmers. The tour was optional and you could leave at any time. Inside, they’ve got small but cool exhibits: a gecko, a couple of snakes, and a tarantula . They also had a live two headed snake when you first walked in! They also have a wall aquarium located in the back filled with beautiful

Outside, you’ll find multiple hatchery pools filled with hungry trout. For just $0.25, you can buy a handful of fish food (pro tip: bring your own cup). Watching the trout splash around is entertaining for the kiddos.

The view of the dam is gorgeous, and the nearby river is perfect for trout fishing—just grab a permit inside before you head down. Clean restrooms, a peaceful atmosphere, and the best part? It’s all free!

Perfect blend of education, nature, and fun. Highly recommend!