Visit Us
You can't miss our aquarium when you're driving on Hwy. 52 to Lewis and Clark Lake. This 13,000 gallon facility has a free admission and is a nice cool place to stop on a hot summer day. We typically have 40+ mostly-local species of fish, amphibians, and reptiles on display. You'll also see fossils from the local area and lots of educational signage corresponding to the displays. The gift shop is open Friday-Monday during much of the summer too.
The aquarium parking lot offers easy access to the paved trail system that runs along Lake Yankton and Lewis and Clark Lake. Park here and launch on a long bike ride or walk with the dog along these well-maintained trails.
The road system around our fish rearing ponds are an overlooked place for a quiet walk year-round. The wildlife and pond activity will vary seasonally. Birders like to check on the area during the spring and fall migrations. Kids are entertained by frogs, dragonflies, swooping swallows and the occasional turtle in summer. There is a bald eagle nest that is fun to keep an eye on too.
Don't miss our rainbow trout raceway if you stop during the summer. Several thousand hungry adult rainbows will be waiting to meet you. Fish food can be purchased from the on-site coin-op machine or from the aquarium gift shop. The trout can typically be found in the raceway from early May until early September. Outside of that period, look for them in a nearby rearing pond.
Trails
Our aquarium is just 100 yards from a very popular, and very well maintained, biking/walking trail. Jump on the trail here and cruise along the north shore of Lake Yankton or connect to trails winding through nearby lakeside campgrounds. You are also welcome to walk or bike the gravel road system around our hatchery ponds.
For a nice 45-70 minute walk, park at our aquarium, and head south on the trail to Lake Yankton. Follow it along the north shore of the lake and then turn north at the gate and return to our facility via the hatchery pond roads. This is a great loop to spot wildlife in the morning or evening.
Related Documents
Locations
Our facility features:
- A free public aquarium
- Outdoor space open to foot or bike traffic
- The main hatchery building
- A set of auxiliary buildings (accessible only on a tour)
We are located just east of Gavins Point Dam on Hwy 52.
Visitors can park at our aquarium and walk the paved trail to the hatchery or drive farther down to the hatchery and park there.