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Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center opens for the season April 3
The Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center in Mattawan, Michigan (Van Buren County), will open for the 2018 season April 3. Hours of operation for the spring season, through Memorial Day, will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday throughSaturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
The visitor center will offer a variety of opportunities to learn more about Michigan’s natural resources this spring. Upcoming programs include:
Fish-Tagging Tours
Saturday, March 24, at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.
See how Department of Natural Resources staff tag Chinook salmon and other fish for research in the mass-marking trailer, visiting from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, at Wolf Lake for a just a few days each year. No pre-registration is required.
Discover how the DNR raises millions of fish every year to stock in Michigan’s lakes, rivers and streams. Tours are approximately 30 minutes. All ages are welcome.
Regular Spring Hatchery Tours:
Spring Break Week (April 3-8):
Saturday, April 7, from 8 a.m. to noon
Designed for those with little or no experience in wildlife photography, this class will introduce photography basics, equipment requirements, how to photograph wildlife, and managing and editing photographs. There will be an optional hike on the grounds of the hatchery after the class for anyone interested in becoming familiar with the trails and learning where to find the best opportunities for photographing wildlife. Part of the DNR's Outdoor Skills Academy, this class is open to those 12 years of age and older. No camera is required to take the class.
The cost for the class is $10. Register for Introduction to Wildlife Photography online. Payment must be made within seven days of registration to hold the slot. Cancellations must be made at least one week prior to class in order to receive a full refund.
Saturday, May 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This all-day workshop offers women the opportunity to learn enough of the fly-fishing basics to get out on the water and fish with confidence. Participants will learn about gear, casting, knot-tying, reading the water and more. Several guest speakers and experts in the sport will teach the class, presented by the DNR Outdoor Skills Academy in partnership with the Kalamazoo Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
The cost for the class is $25. Lunch and giveaways will be provided, and participants will receive a free one-year Trout Unlimited membership. No equipment is needed for the class.
Register for the women's fly-fishing class online. Payment must be made within seven days of registration to hold the slot. Cancellations must be made at least one week prior to class in order to receive a full refund.
For more information about upcoming programs, contact the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center at 269-668-2876 or ramseys2@michigan.gov.
Dedicated to providing quality programming that tells the remarkable tale of Michigan's Great Lakes fisheries and the vital role played by hatcheries in this story, the visitor center is located on the grounds of the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery at 34270 County Road 652 in Mattawan. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/wolflakevc.
Contact: Shana Ramsey, 269-668-2876