The American Fish Culture Company operated for nearly 120 years from 1877-1997 in Carolina, Rhode Island growing three species of trout under the under the direction of several generations of the Hazard family of Peace Dale, Rhode Island. The company was one of the first trout producers in the United States, and was considered the largest fish farm in the country by the early 1920s. Major innovations of the company included early adoption of pelleted feeds, and the introduction of photoperiod manipulation to spawn fish out of season. The company ultimately failed due to intense competition from larger producers in the West and failure to innovate in response to the 1972 Clean Water Act.