Drayton Plains State Fish Hatchery facts for kids

The Drayton Plains State Fish Hatchery was a special place in Michigan. It was like a big farm, but for fish! This hatchery helped raise young fish to be released into lakes and rivers. It was the second fish hatchery ever opened by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

It started in 1903 and was first called Drayton Plains Station. In 1934, its name officially changed to Drayton Plains State Fish Hatchery. This important site was located along the Clinton River in what is now Waterford Township. Its main job was to raise baby bass on its 18-acre property.

The Drayton Plains State Fish Hatchery was recognized as a Michigan Historic Site on August 24, 1984. This means it's an important historical place.

Why Fish Hatcheries Were Important

In the late 1920s, sportfishing became a very popular hobby in Michigan. People loved to catch fish for fun! Because of this, fish hatcheries like Drayton Plains changed their focus. They started raising fish for sport, not just for food.

They focused on popular sport fish. These included brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout. They also raised many warm-water fish species. By this time, hatchery technology had gotten much better. It allowed them to produce larger fish. The years from 1930 to 1949 are even called the "Fingerling Era." This is because they could grow many "fingerlings," which are young fish about the size of a finger.

Operations at the Drayton Plains State Fish Hatchery stopped in 1962. It had been helping fish for almost 60 years!

As of 2016, Michigan still had six state fish hatcheries working:

• Harrietta State Fish Hatchery in Harrietta, Michigan (opened in 1901).
• Marquette State Fish Hatchery in Marquette, Michigan (opened in 1920).
• Oden State Fish Hatchery in Alanson, Michigan (opened in 1921).
• Thompson State Fish Hatchery in Manistique, Michigan (opened in 1922).
• Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery in Mattawan, Michigan (opened in 1927).
• Platte River State Fish Hatchery in Beulah, Michigan (opened in 1928).

How It Was Used as a Grow-Pond

Even after the hatchery stopped its main work, its ponds were still useful. In 1970, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources started raising fish there again. They used the ponds as "grow-ponds." This means they were places where young fish could grow bigger before being released.

For example, in 2012, they brought walleye eggs to the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery. These eggs hatched into tiny walleye. Then, Drayton Plains State Fish Hatchery was one of the places where these young walleye grew. Later, these fish were moved to seven different lakes.

Now a Nature Center

Today, the old Drayton Plains State Fish Hatchery site is a wonderful place. It is now the Drayton Plains Nature Center.

The Nature Center opened in 1967. It covers 138 acres of land. That's almost a mile long! Here, you can explore nature in many ways. The grounds have woods, peaceful ponds, flowing streams, and open prairies. There are also many trails for walking and exploring. Inside, there's an interpretive center. It has cool displays of animals and plants in their natural homes.