FISH HATCHERIES IN ILLINOIS
THE ILLINOIS HATCHERY SYSTEM
The Illinois Hatchery System is composed of three facilities. The hatcheries
involved are LaSalle Hatchery, in LaSalle County near Marseilles; Jake
Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery, in Mason County near Pekin; and Little Grassy
Fish Hatchery, in Williamson County near Carbondale. The statewide distribution
of the three hatcheries allows them to complement and supplement each
other, while giving great latitude in rearing a wide variety of species
and aiding in the distribution of fish throughout the state. At full capacity
the system is capable of producing over 50 million fish of 18 species.
In 1959 an important step towards increased fish production occurred
with the construction of Little Grassy Hatchery. This facility with 18
ponds and 19 acres of water produced bluegill, redear, other sunfishes,
largemouth bass, and collected and incubated walleye eggs from the southern
part of the State.
Despite the earnest efforts of workers demands and needs for stockable
fish far exceeded production. Also the supply of fish from the Federal
government decreased, as they phased out many of their hatcheries which
had been sources of fish to Illinois. To ensure a steady supply of the
right types and sizes of fish, the Department embarked upon the giant
undertaking of renovating and expanding Little Grassy Hatchery and building
Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery. Funding for construction was provided
from State of Illinois Capital Construction Bonds. These bonds are being
retired from annual payments made from the Department's Wildlife and Fish
Fund via the sale of fishing licenses and a grant from the U.S. Department
of the Interior.
The major expansion and modernization of Little Grassy Hatchery
began in July 1979 and was completed in August 1981. Fish production
is now accomplished using a combination of extensive pond culture
in 21 earthen ponds totaling 19 acres and intensive fish culture
which produces fish at high densities in flowing water in 20 indoor
tanks and 18 outdoor concrete raceways. Due to design flexibility,
the hatchery is capable of producing 12 cold, cool, and warm water
species, but not simultaneously. A Visitors Center was also added
during this expansion.
In 1989, additional construction was completed for a pumpback water
system that maintains the high water flows needed for intensive
fish production. Further construction completed in 1991 reshaped
ponds, and added an intensive culture room to the hatchery for additional
rearing units.
Construction of the Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery commenced in
December 1979 and was completed in 1982. The ultra-modern hatchery
encompasses 160 acres of Sand Ridge State Forest in Mason County
and is capable of rearing 16 species of cold, cool, and warm water
species simultaneously.
Phase I of a visitor center at Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery
was completed in 1991, as well as an addition of 10 one acre rearing
ponds and a maintenance storage building. Phase 2 of the visitor
center was completed in 1994. The visitor interpretive center currently
showcases fishery management in Illinois and the role that fish
hatcheries play in management of the state's fishery resource. The
visitor center also contains an antique fishing tackle display containing
over 200 lures, and a "Harvesting the River" exhibit that
depicts life on the Illinois River during the late 1800's and early
1900's.
Intensive fish culture at Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery produces
fish in running water at high densities in both concrete raceways
and plastic-lined ponds. Modern technological advances such as water
flow alarms; temperature, oxygen and disease control systems; and
water pumping and waste water treatment facilities are essential
components of this hatchery. Included in this complex are: a 36,000
square foot hatchery building with State offices; a pathology lab;
incubation room; 56 tanks; 28 rearing raceways; 7 brood raceways;
6 quarantine raceways; 22 ponds; and, a 22 acre reservoir. Water
for the entire facility is supplied by 10 wells that can deliver
8,000 gallons per minute from the Mahomet Aquifer.
Jake Wolf Memorial Hatchery was dedicated in honor of the late
Jacob John "Jake" Wolf. Jake Wolf at the time of death
was serving the sportsmen and sportswomen of Illinois as Deputy
Director of the Department. His seven terms in the Illinois General
Assembly were marked with the passage of numerous conservation bills
that benefited Illinois sportsmen and sportswomen.
The Illinois Hatchery System is playing a major role in improving
the quality of fishing in Illinois. Since 1984, 358,216,944 fish
have been produced by the system and stocked into Illinois lakes,
ponds, reservoirs, and streams. Specific benefits that Illinois
anglers are receiving include:
— Enhanced salmonid fishing in Lake Michigan;
— Statewide fisheries for trophy fish such as muskellunge,
tiger muskie, striped bass and hybrid striped
bass;
— Increased opportunities for catching large and smallmouth
bass and walleye;
— Expansion of the channel catfish program;
— Increased stocking of public and private waters statewide.
The Fish Illinois Initiative enabled the Department to assume responsibility
of the LaSalle Hatchery in 1994. The hatchery was previously operated
by Southern Illinois University as a research/hatchery facility.
The facility consists of 16 rearing ponds which total 35.5 acres
of water. The hatchery is currently rearing six different species
of fish.
The Illinois Hatchery System is dedicated to enhancing fish populations
in Illinois waters by producing adequate numbers of various species
of fish to meet stocking demands statewide. The Fish Illinois Initiative
has allowed for increased fish production and added manpower that
are essential to maintaining and enhancing the quality of fishing
in Illinois' lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and streams. With this initiative,
the Illinois' Hatchery System will continue to stock Illinois' waterways
well into the next century!
For hatchery tour information and reservations please call:
Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery (309) 968-7531
LaSalle Hatchery (815) 357-6986
Little Grassy Fish Hatchery (618) 529-4100
