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Sandwich MA Fish Hatchery: A Quick Stop with Trout, Trees & Zero Crowds

If you're already in or near Sandwich and looking for a quick sightseeing stop, the Sandwich MA Fish Hatchery is a fun one—especially if you’re into wildlife.

They’ve been raising trout here since the late 1800s—and while the original fish are long gone, their great-great-great-grandtrout are still swimming around!

A quick stop that’s fun for all ages—just walk up to the pools and watch the fish doing their thing.

You won’t find tours or guides here. Just long, shallow "raceways" (basically, big outdoor fish pools) filled with trout.

Each pool is labeled, so you can tell what kind of trout you’re looking at: brown trout, brookies, rainbows, and even some tiger trout.

Bring a few quarters if you'd like to feed the fish. The old-school vending machine spits out a handful of fish-food pellets for each quarter you put in.

The kiddos get such a kick out of seeing the fish jump for the pellets. And honestly? So do most grownups. Go ahead and toss a few pellets. (It's okay to giggle right along with the kids!) 

Classic Cape Cod "high tech": insert quarter, get pellets, cause fish frenzy!

You probably won’t spend more than 15 or 20 minutes here, but that’s kind of the point.

It’s a quick stop, no big commitment of time required. And it’s the kind of place that flies under most people's radar. But it’s definitely worth knowing about!

Look for this sign on Route 6A in Sandwich. The hatchery's driveway is a little narrow, but it leads to a surprisingly roomy parking area.

Know Before You Go

Address:
Sandwich Fish Hatchery
164 Route 6A, Sandwich, MA 02563

Parking:
Plenty of free parking near the fish pools. The entrance is a tree-lined road off Route 6A—watch for the sign.

Hours:
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(Closed on state and federal holidays)

Restrooms:
None on site—plan ahead.

Admission:
Free

Pets:
Not allowed on hatchery grounds

More Info: MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife

Also: For a deep dive into the history and operations of the Sandwich Fish Hatchery, check out this article from Cape & Islands NPR. 

While You’re at It … More Free Stuff to Check Out

• See the Seals at Chatham Fish Pier
  Head to the observation deck and watch the seals cruise around the fishing boats, begging for a handout.
  
  
• Spring Herring Runs
  River herring swimming upstream to their spawning grounds — an up-close peek at one of Mother Nature’s oldest rituals.
  
  
• Free Things to Do on Cape Cod
  Beaches, bogs, boardwalks, scenic spots—here are some of my favorite activities that are worth your time and won't cost you a dime.
  
  

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