Tour Fish Hatcheries & Spawning Facilities

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the dates for fall open houses at two fish spawning facilities and one fish hatchery. Over the coming weeks, the DNR will host open houses at the Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility, Root River Steelhead Facility and the Wild Rose Fish Hatchery.

Each of these free events will give attendees a chance to see fish up close. As well as learn how hatcheries and spawning facilities help sustain Wisconsin’s fish populations.

Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility

Join the DNR Saturday, Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility, located at N3884 Ransom Moore Lane in Kewaunee. Guests will get to watch salmon egg collection demonstrations, enjoy educational displays and take a guided tour of the facility. The Algoma Kewaunee Great Lakes Sport Fishermen will also be providing wagon rides.

Root River Steelhead Facility 

The Root River Steelhead Facility open house will take place Saturday, Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2200 Domanik Drive, Lincoln Park in Racine. The event will feature guided tours and fish spawning demonstrations. Volunteers from Salmon Unlimited, Trout Unlimited and the Milwaukee Great Lakes Sport Fishermen will be providing educational fishing stations. There visitors can try new casting techniques and receive knot and fly-tying lessons.

Wild Rose State Fish Hatchery

An open house at the Wild Rose State Fish Hatchery’s education center, located at N5871 State Road 22 in Wild Rosen, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event will celebrate the annual fall salmon migration. There will be games and educational activities for people of all ages. These include learning to cast workshops, fish identification tips or the chance to “swim” upriver like salmon on their migratory journey to spawning areas. Other fish activities include fish printing on tote bags, building a spinnerbait, making Kool-Aid clay fish. As well as touring the original 1908 hatchery and the modern operation.

More details on each of these events is available on the DNR’s Events Calendar.