Oden State Fish Hatchery (0.5 mile; d=0.60)
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Oden State Fish Hatchery Walk Route Map
The approximate route of my walk around the Oden State Fish Hatchery, as depicted a la Google Earth...
Oden State Fish Hatchery Walk Route Map
The approximate route of my walk around the Oden State Fish Hatchery...
Michigan Fisheries Visitor Center
Michigan Fisheries Visitor Center...the entrance as viewed from US-31 north of Petoskey.
The only remaining of three "fish cars." This train car was used from 1914 to 1935 to transport fish across the state of Michigan. It was moved here as a permanent exhibit in 2002. It is open for tours during the summer.
Michigan Fisheries Visitor Center
This is the original hatchery building which operated from 1921to the early 1940's. It now houses the visitors center and gift shop.
This area was the original location for the hatchery holding tanks. The tanks, which stretched over a quarter-mile were removed during the reconstruction project completed in 2002. It's remarkable how the area has recovered.
The interpretive nature trail begins behind the visitors center along Oden Creek.
The majestic branches of the White Pine, State Tree of Michigan, against a blue winter sky.
Looking through the bare branches of the Tamarack, the only conifer which drops its leaves in the winter.
A unique spot along the trail, this viewing chamber allows visitors to get a underwater view of the creek.
This was as good a shot as I could get of this Rainbow Trout who was nice enough to make an appearance at the stream viewing chamber.
A Brown Trout, snuggled right up against the glass at the stream viewing chamber. The odd pink area to the bottom left is a reflection.
The trail wanders through a beautiful wetland area.
Looking back downstream about halfway between the visitors center and the hatchery.
A Holding Pond...one of at least three such ponds along the trail.
I later learned that these ponds served as homes for fish who were to old to breed. A nice place to retire, don't you think?
As the trail nears the hatchery the trail climbs slightly into a stand of hardwoods.
This building houses both Brown and Rainbow Trout which are used as breeding stock for the facility.
The Oden Hatchery is one of only two that keep broodstock in Michigan. The less aggressive nature of trout allows them to do so here.
Big Rainbows...
According to the guide around 33% of the water in the facility is recycled. In these areas to the far end of the holding tanks water is drained out while solid waste (i.e. food & poo) settle to the bottom to be cleaned out separately.
The Brown Trout didn't like a camera pointing at them. Everytime I leaned in for a shot they would scatter.
The fish in these tanks are processed for their sperm and eggs twice a year until they are 8 years old. The fish in this tank are in their prime; about 4 years old.
After touring the broodstock building we toured the rest of the facility. From left to right is the main hatchery building, the head tanks (wells), and the uppermost raceway building.