Little Grassy Fish Hatchery

When our friends Kurt and Laura visited us, we took a trip to down south to go hiking. On the way to our hiking spot, we decided to stop of at a fish hatchery along the way. Why? Well... why not? It was a very educational experience, even if it is a subject I never really thought I'd have any interest in whatsoever!

The State of Illinois runs several fish hatcheries around the state. The hatcheries are paid for by fishing license fees. That being the case, the purpose of the hatcheries is not so much conservation, but to stock lakes around the state with game fish, so anglers can go fishing. The hatchery we went to is called the Little Grassy Hatchery.

The hatchery first collects fish eggs from their fish outside who lay they eggs. They hatch the eggs inside, and allow the fish to grow a little bit. Once the fish have gotten bigger, they move them outside to the ponds. Unfortunately, we visited late enough in the year that the fish had already been harvested and shipped out to various lakes around the state, so we weren't able to see so many fish "in progress", so to speak. Nevertheless, it was a fun experience. I think it would be a fun place to take kids.

Hatchery ponds stocked with fish	Outside tanks where they grow the fish
Giant grasshopper we found outside	Our guided tour inside the hatchery
School of fish inside a tank	Outside the building