Overview: Marquette State Fish Hatchery was established in 1920 and completely renovated in 1994. It is the primary broodstock and rearing facility for brook and lake trout that are used in both inland and Great Lakes waters. The facility also rears splake (a brook trout – lake trout hybrid) for both Great Lakes and inland waters. This hatchery has both indoor and outdoor rearing facilities. The facility has a new interpretative facilities to provide information on the importance of small tributaries to the Great Lakes, brook and lake trout rehabilitation, fisheries research, how watersheds work and how a hatchery operates .

The Great Lakes Ecological Information at the hatchery consists of an outdoor interpretative area that focuses on the importance of headwater streams to the Great Lakes and a new indoor interpretative area with exhibits focusing on watersheds, brook and lake trout rehabilitation, and the Marquette Fisheries Research Station. An interactive computer with hands on learning opportunities concerning our watersheds and other aspects of fish culture will also available in the indoor interpretative room. These facilities were fully open in late May 2003.

An Ultra-violet system was installed in the broodstock area in 2006. The UV system will sterilize the water that feeds the broodstock raceways. All creek water hosts naturally occurring fish parasites and bacteria capable of causing fish disease. During heavy rain events, warm summer months, and the snow melt period, bacteria counts could peek causing stress in the fish with potential for a disease outbreak in the captive population. A healthy broodstock population will yield a stronger more viable fish for stocking in public waters.

Production water: Marquette hatchery uses approximately 1,500 gallons per minute of well water and 8,000 gallons per minute spring water from Cherry Creek. Cherry Creek has the most stable flow of groundwater of any stream studied in Michigan. The average daily water use ranges between 11.7 and 12.2 million gallons. The water temperature of Cherry Creek ranges from 33.8 degrees and 55.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Well water temperatures are a constant 46 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hatchery Staffing: The hatchery is staffed by 1 Fish Hatchery Biologist, 3 Fisheries Technicians, 1 Maintenance Supervisor (responsible for maintenance at Marquette and Thompson State Fish Hatcheries), 1 Maintenance Mechanic, 1 Secretary, 1 Fisheries Assistant (Seasonal), and 1 Short Term Worker for fish culture and maintenance activities. This facility also houses the Marquette Fisheries Research Station with its staff of 1 Research Station Supervisor, 3 Fisheries Research Biologists, 2 Fisheries Technicians, 1 Boat Captain, 1 Assistant Boat Captain and 2 Fisheries Assistants (Seasonal).

Broodstock: Marquette State Fish Hatchery maintains broodstock for Lake Superior Inshore and Marquette strains of lake trout as well as Iron River and Assinica strains of brook trout. Broodstock are captive fish that we hold so we can obtain eggs and sperm.

Management Role: This facility produces lake trout, brook trout, and splake (a hybrid cross between lake trout and brook trout) for both inland and Great Lakes waters.

Areas of interest to the public: The new indoor and outdoor interpretative areas are of special interest to the public and were fully open in June 2003. This facility also has broodstock raceways, which have large brook and lake trout. Eggs and sperm are taken from these fish during October and November and the public is welcome to watch. Please call ahead to find out what days the egg takes will be conducted.

Hatchery Hours: The hatchery is open to the public at no charge weekdays from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm and weekends from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. For further information or to schedule group tours contact James Aho at (906) 249-1611.