JORDAN RIVER NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY

The Jordan River National Fish Hatchery is open 7 days per week. During normal business hours, staff is on-site and will gladly take your group on a tour of their facility.

The hatchery, which specializes in the rearing of lake trout, is under the direction of the U.S. Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service. It is located in Antrim County in the northern portion of the lower peninsula of Michigan. The facility is comprised of 116 acres which was purchased from the State of Michigan for $1.00 for fish culture. The hatchery was constructed in 1962.

Water is supplied to the hatchery by two springs (named Five Tile and Six Tile) that produce approximately 5,000 gallons per minute. The entire production of this hatchery is dedicated to stocking lake trout into the Great Lakes, primarily Lakes Michigan and Huron. The long term goal is to establish a self-sustaining lake trout population.

The hatchery annually propagates approximately 1.85 to 2.0 million yearling lake trout and transfers up to 900,000 fingering lake trout to the Pendills Creek National Fish Hatchery, Brimley, Michigan. Typically 1.2 million fish are released into Lake Michigan and 900,000 in Lake Huron by the Motor Vessel Togue.

The hatchery is located in the beautiful Jordan River Valley and is a popular stopping point during fall color tours and winter snowmobiling. The hatchery is open to the public seven days a week. Staff is on duty from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. Access to the hatchery is from US-131 at Turner Road and also from the Jordan River Road. For further information or to schedule a tour, please contact the hatchery at 231-584-2461.