34270 Co Rd 652
Mattawan, MI

The Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery is open daily from April to before Thanksgiving. It’s also free to visit! The trails around the ponds are open for walking or snowshoeing year round.

34270 Co Rd 652
Mattawan, MI

The Visitors Center is fascinating to tour to learn about the history and evolution of Michigan’s state fish hatcheries. During your visit, you can also opt to watch the 15 minute film to see what it’s like to spend a year in the life of a steelhead trout within the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery.

34270 Co Rd 652
Mattawan, MI

In addition to checking out the Visitors Center and seeing some cool fish local to Michigan, there are a number of other activities. Check the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery’s website to discover the guided tour calendar as well as sign up for kid friendly fishing activities and archery! There’s also a gift shop on site. Throughout the trails, you may also notice some wild plant gardens!

34270 Co Rd 652
Mattawan, MI

There are free small cups of fish food you can grab inside the Visitors Center. There are also larger cups of fish feed available for purchase. Within the viewing aquarium at the Visitors Center you can see an Arctic grayling, a fish that once disappeared from Michigan waters. The Michigan DNR is working to restore its population. Other fish species in the pond include chinook salmon, steelhead trout, northern pike, northern muskellunge, walleye, largemouth bass, a variety of other sunfish and lake sturgeon.

34270 Co Rd 652
Mattawan, MI

The guided tours take place seasonally every Monday to Saturday at 10am, noon, and 2pm. Each tour lasts about 30 minutes. Otherwise, it’s quite easy to find your way around the fish hatchery and your visit can be as short or long as you’d like it to be.

34270 Co Rd 652
Mattawan, MI

You can find the birdwatching platform on the largest fish pond within the hatchery. Be on the lookout for interpretive panels along the trails to learn more about the unique features within the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery. There are also some historic signs and information on the Great Lakes Ecosystem and role we all play in ecosystem stewardship.

34270 Co Rd 652
Mattawan, MI

The trails throughout the hatchery are open year round during daylight hours for hiking or snowshoeing. Some trails are quick, short loops, others longer.