Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery facts for kids

The Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery is a special place in Russell County, Kentucky. It's a federal fish hatchery, which means it's run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. You can find it right below the Wolf Creek Dam. This hatchery helps raise fish for lakes and rivers.

A Look Back: How the Hatchery Started

Building the Hatchery

The Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery was built in 1975. It was one of the newer hatcheries in the federal system at that time. There are about 70 such hatcheries across the country. Wolf Creek is one of 14 in the southeastern part of the U.S.

Raising Fish for Fun and Nature

Each year, the hatchery raises about 1,000,000 fish. These include rainbow, brown, and brook trout. They work with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Together, they release these fish into over 100 public fishing spots in Kentucky. This helps make sure there are plenty of fish for people to catch.

Helping Endangered Fish

The hatchery also works to protect rare fish. They help species that are threatened or endangered species. For example, they help the relict darter, the spotfin chub, and the blackside dace. These efforts help keep our natural waters healthy. Many people visit the hatchery each year, with over 100,000 visitors coming to learn and explore.

Where the Water Comes From

The hatchery gets its water from Lake Cumberland. This water comes from deep in the lake, between 25 and 100 feet down. The water temperature changes with the seasons, from about 40 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This cool, clean water flows through the hatchery. It moves at a fast rate, up to 15,000 gallons every minute.

Fun Programs and Events

The Visitor and Education Center

The Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery opened its Visitor/Environmental Education Center in September 2006. This was the first center of its kind at a National Fish Hatchery. It has cool exhibits, a classroom, a theater, and a gift shop. It's a great place for everyone to learn, especially school children.

Exciting Events for Everyone

The center offers many fun programs and workshops. One popular event is the "Catch a Rainbow Kids Fishing Derby." This derby happens every year on the first Saturday in June. It's a chance for kids to learn how to fish and have a great time. The hatchery also has special learning programs for teachers in Kentucky.

Friends of Wolf Creek

The "Friends of Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, Inc." group helps support the center. They raise money through donations. This money makes sure all the events are fun and educational. Volunteers also help out a lot at the hatchery.

Fishing Derbies for All Ages

The Friends group helps fund several fishing events:

• Catch a Rainbow Fishing Derby: Held in June, it's for kids and matches Kentucky's free fishing weekend.
• Catch a Smile: In September, this event is for local school-aged children with special needs.
• Senior Fishing Derby: Also in September, this derby is for senior citizens from local nursing homes.
• Wounded Warrior Fishing Derby: This September event gives veterans a chance to fish in the lake and trout stream.

Other Fun Activities

The hatchery also hosts other events throughout the year. These include an Earth Day celebration, an all-day play event, various craft classes, and a special Christmas event. There's always something interesting happening at Wolf Creek!