Jordan River National Fish Hatchery

The hatchery has been raising lake trout for more than five decades and, at its peak, produced more than 3 million fingerling a year for stocking into the Great Lakes. Historically, the lake trout was the top predator in all the offshore regions of the lakes, but factors such as overfishing, invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species and habitat alteration have greatly impacted populations. Lake trout are a long lived and large species. They can live to be more than 50 years old and weigh more than 70 pounds.

The cisco was once the most common pelagic species of fish in the Great Lakes system and supported large commercial fisheries in the 19th and 20th centuries. Due to multiple factors including overfishing, invasive species introductions and habitat degradation populations were extirpated or severely impacted by the 1950s. In 2018, the hatchery began a restoration initiative for this fish in Lake Huron with other federal, tribal, provincial and state partners. Current production sits at 1.2 million cisco fingerling a year.

This program produces 10,000 catchable sized rainbow trout for children’s fishing events across the state of Michigan. This cooperative effort with area schools, youth organizations, non-governmental organizations and volunteers offer the opportunity for area youth to become involved in the culture of this highly sought-after species. Local youth assist staff with the propagation and distribution of the fish to free, cooperative-sponsored fishing events. Involved students develop a sense of responsibility for natural resources while providing a family-oriented resource for the American public.