Richard Cronin National Salmon Station
Facility ·
Managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service
- 202 ft
- Elevation
The Richard Cronin National Salmon Station is critical to the Atlantic salmon restoration program. This is where the egg starts. Each spring, adult Atlantic salmon trapped at the Holyoke Dam on the Connecticut River and the DSI Dam on the Westfield River are taken to the Cronin Salmon Station. Upon arrival, the salmon are weighed, measured, tagged, and vaccinated. They are then gently eased into their indoor pools, where they rest until spawning in the fall. In October and November, when the fish are ready, hatchery staff spawn the salmon. Volunteers help to fertilize, rinse, and disinfect the eggs. The eggs are then trucked to the White River National Fish Hatchery in Bethel, Vermont.
Getting there
The Cronin Salmon Station is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 4:00. It is located off of Route 116 in Sunderland, about 3 miles south of the town center. Turn East onto East Plumtree Road, which is next to a gas station.
42.43200, -72.54170 · 42°25'55.2"N 72°32'30.1"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 3.4 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 4.0 | 3.7 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 5.1 | 3.6 | 4.3 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Member photos
Common questions about Richard Cronin National Salmon Station
- Can you reserve a site at Richard Cronin National Salmon Station?
- No. Richard Cronin National Salmon Station is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
Camping near Richard Cronin National Salmon Station
- Indian Hollow 16.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Tully Lake Recreation Area (Ma) 22.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Westville Recreation Area 34.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Buffumville Lake (Group Shelter) 38.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Otter Brook Lake Recreation Area 40.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Surry Mountain Lake Beach 40.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Edward MacDowell Lake Day Use Facilities 42.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Townshend Lake Recreation Area 44.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- West Thompson Lake Campground 46.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Grout Pond Campground 47.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Winhall Brook Camping Area 52.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Berkshire National Fish Hatchery 40.7 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone (413) 548-9010
- Email Micky_Novak@fws.gov
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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