Overview: Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery was established in 1927 and completely renovated in 1983. This facility produces a wide range of fish species for both inland and Great Lakes waters. Coldwater species produced for Great Lakes waters include steelhead trout and chinook salmon. Coolwater species produced at this facility include lake sturgeon (the only facility to rear this species), walleye, northern pike, channel catfish (obtained from other states) and northern muskellunge. These species are produced for mainly inland waters although a few are stocked in Great Lakes waters. This facility has both indoor and outdoor rearing facilities.

The Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, open Tuesday-Sunday, features exhibits on the importance of lakes and wetlands to the Great Lakes, fisheries history, commercial fishing, lake sturgeon rehabilitation and offers tours of the hatchery.

Location: 34270 County Road 652, Mattawan, MI 49071.

Photo 1. Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery as seen in 1998.

Driving Directions: The hatchery is six miles west of U.S. 131 on M-43 in Van Buren County. Hatchery is on Fish Hatchery Road just off of M-43 on the southside of M-43. Please park in the visitor center parking lot.

Map:

Telephone: (269) 668-2696

Hatchery Manager: Martha Wolgamood

Hatchery Biologist: Matt Hughes

Year Opened: In 1927, the Izaak Walton League purchased the original 78 acres for $5,000 and donated the property to the state for hatchery development. By 1935, an additional 59 acres was acquired by the Department of Conservation to provide more space for hatchery ponds.

Photo 2. Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery - June 1940.

Renovation History: Numerous upgrades and renovations have been made over the years to keep up with the state of the art in fish culture. In 1980, the hatchery was completely renovated and the current facility was constructed. This reconstruction was completed in 1983. In 1994, the outdoor raceways were enclosed at a cost of $180,000. The outdoor raceway covers reduce fish stress, reduce fish wastes and improve growth and condition.

Photo 3. Covered outdoor raceways at Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery. Photo taken June 1999.

As part of the present hatchery renovation project, Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery's effluent treatment pond was dredged and lined, and a new de-watering system to remove solids from raceway cleaning prior to entering that pond. These improvements were completed in 1999 and greatly improved our wastewater treatment by increasing settling time for fish and food wastes. The project has greatly reduced phosphorus discharges from this site.

Photo 4. New clarifier at Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery with the effluent ponds in the background. The clarifier removes solids from cleaning wastes prior to entering effluent ponds. Photo taken in 2001.

Planned Renovations: Two major upgrades are planned for this hatchery. The first is the addition of a new coolwater production building, which will be located just north of the existing raceway complex. This building will provide state-of-the-art production facilities for walleye, muskellunge, northern pike, and lake sturgeon. Construction will begin when funds become available. The second is the development of state-of-the-art rearing ponds. These model ponds will be tested at this hatchery and if successful, a large scale renovation of the ponds at Wolf Lake and Thompson State Fish Hatcheries will occur using the design for these ponds.

Production Water: Wolf Lake State Hatchery uses mostly well water pumped from 3 primary production wells and 2 supplemental wells in addition to some spring water. Depending on the time of year water usage varies between 1.0 million gallons per day and 4.5 million gallons per day. The water temperature is relatively constant year round with spring water ranging between 48 and 52 degrees F and well water ranging between 50 and 52 degrees F.

Hatchery Staffing: The hatchery is staffed by 1 Area Manager (responsible for Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery, statewide coolwater production program, fish marking and transportation program, statewide electronics maintenance program, fish health program and the hatchery research program), 1 Fish Marking and Transportation Biologist (statewide program), 1 Hatchery Biologist, 3 Fisheries Technicians, 2 Fisheries Assistants (Seasonal), 1 maintenance supervisor, 1 maintenance mechanic, 1 Laborer, 1 Secretary, 1 Electronics Technician (services all 6 hatcheries) and 1 Short Term Worker to assist with fish culture and maintenance. Up to 15 short term workers are also employed seasonally to handle fish marking operations at this facility. This facility also houses the Fish Quality Laboratory (staffed with 2 short-term workers). The statewide Fish Health Program is currently implemented by fish health professionals (Dr. Mohamed Faisal) at Michigan State University - School of Veterinary Medicine with oversight by the Area Manager.

Broodstock: No broodstock is maintained at this hatchery. Broodstock are captive fish that we hold so we can obtain eggs and sperms. All eggs are obtained from wild broodstock. Pond culture of fathead minnows for muskellunge culture is done at this site.

Management Role: This facility produces a wide range of fish species for both inland and Great Lakes waters. Coldwater species produced for Great Lakes waters include steelhead trout and chinook salmon. Coolwater species produced at this facility include lake sturgeon (the only facility to rear this species), walleye, northern pike, channel catfish (obtained from other states) and northern muskellunge. These coolwater species are produced for mainly inland waters although some are stocked in Great Lakes waters.

Visitor Center: The Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, which opened in 1983, is dedicated to providing visitors with the opportunity to learn about fish, their life cycles and habitats; and the history of Great Lakes fish hatcheries and the vital role they play in helping to protect and restore our aquatic ecosystems.

Photo 5. Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center and show pond as seen in 2000.

The visitor center underwent a major renovation in 2003. Among the new interpretive displays is a short video that shows how fish planting was done in the 1920s. An interactive computer allows visitors to learn more about our watersheds and other aspects of fish culture. The project was funded primarily by the Great Lakes Fishery Trust (www.glft.org) with additional funding from the Department of Natural Resources.

The show pond in front of the visitor center holds a variety of Michigan game fish for viewing, including chinook salmon, steelhead, bluegill, northern muskellunge, northern pike, largemouth bass, walleye and lake sturgeon.

A new nature trail system winds around 11 earthen ponds on the hatchery grounds. The ponds range in size from two to 25 acres, and the trail provides an excellent opportunity for viewing birds and other wildlife.

Visitor Center Hours: March through May, hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m., Sunday (closed Mondays). For more information, contact Shana McMillan at 269-668-2876.

Special Visitor Center Programs for October 2007