[2] The hatchery doubles as a fisheries archive with the purpose of preserving records and early historical artifacts.

[4][5] The Von Bayer Museum of Fish Culture is located inside the original 1899 hatchery building,[6] as well as the 10,000 square feet (930 m2) Collection Management Facility, which was built in 1989.

The museum houses over 185,000 artifacts of fish culture, making it the largest collection of such items in the United States.

Fisheries Boat #39, was used by fish hatchery workers on expeditions to Yellowstone National Park to collect trout eggs.

[6][7] The Pond Gift Shop and information center is located in a restored turn-of-the-century hatchery building.

[7] This particular center was funded by a bill passed through Congress to create a Black Hills fish hatchery.

[6] In late July 1899, 100,000 blackspotted trout eggs arrived to begin populating the hatchery.

The hatchery, still managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, still allowed visitors but could not continue operations.

Fish and Wildlife Service issued a nationwide hatchery shutdown due to priority being given to other programs and insufficient funding.

Senator Tim Johnson and U.S. Representative Kristi Noem, both from South Dakota; as well as Spearfish Mayor Dana Boke.

[2] Due to public efforts to keep the hatchery open, its closure was indefinitely suspended in September, with its operations allowed to continue through the 2014 Fiscal Year.

[12] According to a 2007 study by Black Hills State University, the hatchery's operations generate $2.1 million in revenue for local businesses annually.