Spooner Hatchery

There's something fishy going on

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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.

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  • 2015
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  • Sat
    21
    Jan
    2017
    Sun
    22
    Jan
    2017

    Learn to Ice Fish January 20 & 21

    Spooner DNR HQ and Spooner Lake

    20170121 Ice FishingAmos fly

  • Thu
    27
    Apr
    2017

    Spooner Chamber Wine Tasting

    5:00 pm - 7:00 pmFormer Larsen Auto Building

    Enjoy food from local restaurants, tasting of wines, beer, raffle and auctions with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Washburn County Area Humane Society, F.I.S.H. (Friends Into Spooner Hatchery) and Embrace Services.

  • Sat
    03
    Jun
    2017

    Free Family Fishing Festival

    8:30 pmSpooner Hatchery (Next to dam)

    2017June 3 FFF flyer

    Sponsored by

    Friends Into Spooner Hatchery

    Grab the family and join us at the

    Gov. Tommy G. Thompson Hatchery 951 West Maple Street, Spooner

    for a Celebration of “Free Fishing Day”

    Tours * Games * Prizes * Treats

     

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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
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  • Twitter

Gov Tommy G. Thompson Hatchery

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

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