Delafield Fish Hatchery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Delafield Fish Hatchery
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| Location | 421 Main St. Delafield, Wisconsin |
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| Built | 1907 |
| Architect | J. T. W. Jennings |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000064 |
| Added to NRHP | May 13, 1981 |
The Delafield Fish Hatchery was built in 1906 in Delafield, Wisconsin. It was part of a state plan to put young fish, called fry, into Wisconsin's lakes and rivers. This helped make sure there were enough fish for everyone. The hatchery was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. This means it is an important historical site.
Contents
History of Fish Hatcheries
In the 1870s, the idea of building fish hatcheries became popular across the United States. People wanted to raise freshwater fish to provide food and to help people who enjoyed fishing. Wisconsin started its own fish hatchery program in 1874.
Building the Delafield Hatchery
The Delafield Fish Hatchery was the second hatchery built in Wisconsin. It opened in 1906. In its first year, two ponds were built to raise bass fish. The next year, four more ponds were added. The beautiful stone building you can see today was also built in 1907.
The building was designed by J.T.W. Jennings. It looks like a Tudor Revival style building. It has a steep, sloped roof and a large chimney. The walls are made of colorful fieldstone. Inside, there were offices and two large tanks for walleye fish. The hatchery got its water from nearby Nagawicka Lake.
How Fish Were Raised
Raising Walleye Fish
Walleye fish were raised from eggs. The eggs were placed in special jars called Chase jars. Water flowed into the bottom of these jars and moved up through the eggs. Once the tiny fish hatched, they swam out of the jars into two big tanks. From these tanks, they were moved to lakes and rivers. The Delafield hatchery could produce 50 million walleye fry each year!
Raising Bass Fish
Bass fish were raised in the six outdoor ponds. This was a more natural way to grow them. Adult bass would build nests and lay their eggs in the ponds. When the young bass hatched and grew big enough, they were moved from the ponds into the wild.
Changes Over Time
The fish from the Delafield hatchery mostly went to lakes and rivers in southern Wisconsin. The hatchery continued this work until 1950. By then, bass fish were able to reproduce well on their own in the wild. The state decided to focus on raising walleye fish in northern Wisconsin instead.
Because of this, the Delafield hatchery changed its purpose. It became a research center where scientists studied bass and walleye fish. In 1980, the state gave the land to the city of Delafield. Since then, the site has been used for public fun and recreation.
