Shana McMillan,
interpreter, Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery Visitor Center

Schedule of Weekly Nature Programs at Wolf Lake

Schedules for other nature programs

The Michigan Fisheries Visitor Center, located on the grounds of the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery, was built in 1983 to help the public understand the important role fish hatcheries play in keeping Michigan waters stocked with an abundant supply of healthy fish.

Tell us about your visit

The visitor center underwent a major renovation in 2003. Most of the funding for this renovation was provided by the Great Lakes Fishery Trust. The new interpretive exhibits and hands-on interactive displays offer visitors the opportunity to learn about the history, culture and rehabilitation of Great Lakes fisheries, the ecological connection of watersheds to the Great Lakes and the impact humans have on the Great Lakes ecosystem.

• Wolf Lake currently produces six different species of fish including coldwater species (chinook salmon and steelhead trout) and coolwater species (lake sturgeon, northern muskellunge, northern pike and walleye)
• Wolf Lake produces the most fish (by weight) of the state's six fish hatcheries.
• Wolf Lake is the only state fish hatchery that raises lake sturgeon (a threatened species)

Need a fishing license? Stop by the Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery Visitor Center. In addition to purchasing your license, our friendly staff will be able to tell you where the fish are biting in southwest Michigan.

Nature Trails

Newly created nature trails take visitors around several ponds, ranging in size from two to 25 acres, and through wetland and forest habitats. Wolf Lake is home to a variety of wildlife and for many years has been known as a premier birdwatching location in southwest Michigan. There is a bird viewing platform located on the hatchery's largest pond where many species of birds can be easily observed. Interpretive panels located along the trails encourage visitors to learn about the unique features of the grounds, the history of the hatchery and how Great Lakes ecosystems work, and the role of citizens in ecosystem stewardship.

Show Pond

Visitors can view an assortment of fish in the show pond located just outside the center. A long observation platform provides excellent close viewing opportunities. Fish species in the pond include chinook salmon, steelhead trout, northern pike, northern muskellunge, walleye, largemouth bass, a variety of other sunfish and lake sturgeon. Try spotting one of the two six-foot sturgeon as they glide along the bottom.

Summer Programs

The visitor center offers a variety of programs for families throughout the summer. Topics and times may change each summer, so please call ahead or stop by and check the visitor center message board located just outside the front entrance for more information.

Summer Fishing Days: Every Saturday from June through August, children ages 5-16 can take part in our catch-and-release fishing program. Preregistration is required and slots fill up fast so please call ahead. One group slot is reserved each Saturday. If you have more than six children in your group, please let us know you wish to make a group reservation.

Visitor Center Hours: (March-May and September-October)
The visitor center hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday, noon - 4 p.m., closed Mondays.

Spring/Fall Hatchery Tours:
Guided hatchery tours are available to the public throughout the spring and fall. However, during the week availability may be limited because of limited staffing and the number of large school groups visiting the hatchery. We recommend that you call ahead for information on daily tours during these times.

Visitor Center Hours: (Memorial Day-Labor Day)
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday, noon - 6 p.m.

Summer Hatchery Tours: Guided hatchery tours are scheduled Tuesday-Saturday, at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., and at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. on Sundays.

If you have a large group (10 or more), please call ahead to make a reservation.

Note: Open some weekends in November; closed December-February, except for special programs.

School Field Trips

Interpretive programs are available for school groups during the spring and fall. The following is the current list of available interpretive programs. programs. Click on the program title to review benchmarks and standards aligned with the Michigan Curriculum Framework.

• Introduction to Michigan Fish Hatcheries (all ages)
  
• Alien Invaders of the Great Lakes (grades 3-10)
  
• Fishery History (all ages)
  
• Great Lakes, Great Fish! (grades 4-7)
  
• Meet a Monster-The Story of the Lake Sturgeon (grades 2-12)
  
• Nature Hike (all ages)
  
• Wetland Wonders (grades 4-7)
  
• Wild About Water (grades 3-7)

Click here for more information about each program. Educators and group leaders interested in arranging a visit to Wolf Lake should click here to begin planning their visit to the hatchery. For more information, contact the hatchery interpreter at (269) 668-2876, or by e-mail at: McmillanS1@michigan.gov.

Self-Guided Visits

All ages. This program is for groups that were unable to reserve a program and those that seek a less-structured visit. You must reserve a morning or afternoon to prevent overcrowding at the visitor center.

School Group Policies

All groups must take the Introduction to Michigan Fish Hatcheries program before they participate in other programs. This ensures students have a core understanding of the importance of hatcheries and the role they play in the conservation and management of Michigan's aquatic resources before they take part in the more in-depth programs. The introductory program may be added to any of the other programs during their visit if the students have not had this program in a previous visit.

Please review this important information for school groups prior to your visit.

Scheduling Information

Reservations can be made by calling (269) 668-2876 Tuesday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the appropriate reservation window for your students.

Please call the visitor center if you would like to be added to our school program mailing list.

SPRING 2010 PROGRAM REGISTRATION PERIOD:

• Grades 2 ? 8 (16 or more students): February 23 ? March 5
• Pre-school, kindergarten, first grade, high school and other groups (16 or more students): February 24 ? March 5
• Small groups of 15 students or less (all age groups): February 26 ? March 5

Program availability for groups calling after the registration window has passed will be determined on an individual basis by the visitor center interpreter. Please call during the appropriate reservation window so that we may better serve you.

If you get a busy signal when you call, please keep trying or leave a message and we will get back to you in the order in which your call was received.

Please be sure to have the following information available when calling to reserve a program:

• School name, address, phone number and e-mail address of contact (s)
• Names of all participating teachers, including the spelling of each name
• Grade level of class attending
• Total group size
• Program title
• Preferred program time slot (morning or afternoon)
• Any special requests

Sponsorship Appreciation

Strong Performance Charters, located in South Haven, has graciously agreed to donate an afternoon of fishing this spring on Lake Michigan for several members of the Fishin' Weather Project. The project, made up of 6th - 8th grade boys at Milwood Magnet Middle School in Kalamazoo, introduces urban youth to opportunities outside the boundaries of their neighborhoods, through meteorology and fishing.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center would like to thank Strong Performance Charters. Without their generosity this program would not be possible.