Spooner Hatchery

There's something fishy going on

  • Home
  • Adopt A Musky
  • About the Hatchery
    • Which Fish?
    • How Many Fish?
    • How We Grow Fish
  • What FISH Does
  • Membership
  • Events
  • Contact Us

Which Fish?

Muskies and More

caught-muskySince 1914, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has been raising fish at Spooner. At first only walleye were raised, but today northern pike, muskellunge and walleye are reared between April and October each year. During the summer, these cool water fish require water temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. White suckers are also incubated, hatched and reared as forage to feed to the always-hungry production fish — the fish raised for stocking.

Can I see the fish?

No, probably not. It is very difficult to see fish in the rearing ponds and access is restricted indoors to prevent disease. However, you can see incubation batteries (jars) and fry tanks from the glassed overlook inside. The Hatchery Visitor Center features a mural illustrating hatchery operations and aquatic life throughout the seasons and exhibits on water quality protection, hatchery wastewater treatment, watersheds and land use, historical photos, an aerial history of hatchery construction and hands-on exhibits for all ages. You can also view a few fish in the lobby aquarium.

spooner-hatchery-ponds-bridge

In addition, the Department has developed a shoreline restoration demonstration area along the banks of the Yellow River Flowage just east of the main hatchery entrance. Take a walk along the path to view the restoration plants. You’ll end up at Spooner Memorial Park where you can picnic, view the memorials and step onto the floating dock to enjoy the water.

photoicon
  • All
  • Upcoming
  • 2015
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018
  • Sat
    17
    Jan
    2015

    Ice Fishing Clinic

    9:00 amGov. Tommy Thompson Hatchery Visitor Center

    IceFish01.17.15

  • Fri
    27
    Feb
    2015

    Wild Women Workshop

    9 am to 3 pmCrex Meadows Wildlife Area

    Designed for women ages 18 or older the workshop offers hands-on instruction in a fun and non-threatening learning environment.

    Space is limited to 20 participants. Pre-registration required.Fee is $15 per person includes lunch and program.

    More information here: wildwomen

  • Sat
    25
    Apr
    2015

    F.I.S.H. Outing - Hatchery Cleanup

    10:00 amSpooner Hatchery

    FISH members, their families and anybody interested in FISH are invited to hatchery grounds Saturday April 25.  Beginning at 10:00 am to noon we will do some light grounds keeping work like raking, mulching and litter pick up to spruce up the grounds for the 2015 season. Then we’ll have a little meet and greet session over coffee and donuts before taking a tour of the hatchery. Should be lots of eggs incubating by that time and maybe a chance to actually see some walleye hatch. Just depends how this spring develops.

     

    Contact Larry Damman at larry@shearluckfarm.com for more information or let us know you’re coming.

  • Fri
    25
    Sep
    2015

    Hatchery Harvest Open House

    8:30 amGov Thompson Hatchery

    Gtth open house flyersm

  • Wed
    28
    Oct
    2015

    Annual Meeting

    12:00 pmSpooner Hatchery Conference Room

    The annual meeting of Friends Into Spooner Hatchery will take place on Wednesday, October 29, 2015 in the Hatchery conference room. All members are invited to attend.

Sign up for newsletter  

Friends Into Spooner Hatchery

  • Home
  • Adopt A Musky
  • About the Hatchery
    • Which Fish?
    • How Many Fish?
    • How We Grow Fish
  • What FISH Does
  • Membership
  • Events
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Gov Tommy G. Thompson Hatchery

Address: 951 West Maple St. - Spooner, WI 54801
Information: 715.635.4147

© 2019 Friends Into Spooner Hatchery | All Rights Reserved | Website by CCS, Inc.