In a recent WISN News Segment, MELTRIC appeared in the facility of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fish Hatchery in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
Kettle Moraine Fish Hatchery Supports the Fish Populations of the Great Lakes
The Kettle Moraine Springs Hatchery raises hundreds of thousands of salmon and trout each year, ensuring that one of the Great Lakes, Lake Michigan, fish populations thrive for future generations.
"Kettle Moraine raises 340,000 steelhead for Lake Michigan. We stock 25 different tributaries that go into the lake. We also incubate and spawn all of the coho salmon," said Andy Hron, Hatchery Supervisor.
The hatchery supports the efforts of other hatcheries, such as the Wild Rose Hatchery. At the Wild Rose Hatchery, a portion of the coho salmon eggs are raised before being distributed to other hatcheries across the state, including Lake Mills and Besadny fish facilities.
For Hron, the fish-raising process is rewarding. He sees "the eggs come in, then go through incubation, early rearing, and ultimately stocking." He loves "hearing reports of people catching them out on Lake Michigan."
Kettle Moraine Fish Hatchery Ensures the Predator v. Prey Balance of the Great Lakes
The ultimate purpose of the Wisconsin State Hatcheries is not only to produce fish populations but to also maintain a crucial food chain balance in Lake Michigan.
"We want to have the right number of predators and match it up with available forage so that we provide a great sustainable fishery into the future. And we don’t overtax the prey," said Bradley Eggold, Great Lakes District Fisheries Supervisor.
Eggold explained that multiple groups work together to protect the health of Lake Michigan. "We've got a lot of cooperators around the lake; all the state agencies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, and many other partners are out there each and every day looking at both sides of the equation."
Starting in October, salmon and trout begin their run in the rivers connected to Lake Michigan. Hatcheries in Racine and Kewaunee capture these fish, harvest their eggs, and later fertilize them for continued stocking efforts in the Great Lakes.
These annual runs support the local fish populations and are crucial for the reproduction cycle, ensuring a healthy population of salmon and trout for generations to come.
About Wisconsin DNR
The Wisconsin DNR is dedicated to working with Wisconsinites while preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin. In partnership with individuals and organizations, DNR staff manage fish, wildlife, forests, parks, air and water resources while promoting a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities.
Contact Information: All Center Staff Available 7 Days a Week (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
Call Toll Free 1-888-WDNRINFO (1-888-936-7463)
Email Wisconsin DNR
About Kettle Moraine Springs State Fish Hatchery
The Kettle Moraine State Fish Hatchery is a good friend to Lake Michigan, producing steelhead, Chinook salmon and walleye exclusively for the big pond. In fact, it's the only hatchery designated by law for purchase as a fish hatchery for Lake Michigan fish production.
When Ben and Gladys Winton arrived at Kettle Moraine Springs in 1954, cow pies, hayfields and a milking barn were the main features. But by 1955, this industrious couple had developed the farm into a fish hatchery.
The DNR purchased the hatchery in 1979, and with the purchase of additional land, the hatchery now produces around 500,000 fish annually.
This article references content originally published by WISN News.