Below is a summary of the feature in Fish Farming News:

Crystal Lake Fisheries, based in Ava, Missouri, has been a cornerstone of U.S. trout farming since its founding in 1952 by Dwight and Mary-Alice Emerson. What began as a small, spring-fed minnow farm has grown into one of the Midwest’s largest suppliers of rainbow trout, built on decades of family innovation, hard work, and community values.

Now led by Vice President of Operations Johnathan Blakey, the farm continues to thrive under the stewardship of the Emerson family, with Marvin and David Emerson still actively involved. Blakey, who grew up nearby and joined the operation in 2007 after earning a degree in agricultural business from Missouri State University, has become a respected leader within both the company and the broader aquaculture community. He was recently appointed to the National Aquaculture Association Board of Directors, representing the U.S. Trout Farmers Association.

Crystal Lake’s fish – descended from the farm’s proprietary Emerson strain – are hatched, reared, and stocked entirely on-site. The farm’s 17 employees manage intensive year-round operations, supplying trout to recreational and commercial markets across the region. Feed is sourced from Rangen, Cargill, and Zeigler, and the farm continually experiments with pond capacity, feed rates, and genetics to optimize growth and quality.

Like many in U.S. aquaculture, the operation faces challenges including regulation, labor shortages, predation, and flooding. Yet demand remains strong, and Crystal Lake sells everything it produces. Beyond production, the farm remains deeply rooted in its community, hosting fishing events for local children – a highlight for Blakey, who says those moments remind him why the work matters.

With a focus on innovation, family values, and advocacy, Crystal Lake Fisheries stands as both a model of longevity and a voice for the next generation of American trout farming leadership.