Spring Summer Fall Winter Available Amenities and Activities Restrooms Available Parking Available Trails Available Description The original Oden State Fish Hatchery was established in 1921 and continued to operate until 2002. The new Oden State Fish Hatchery complex was" /> Spring Summer Fall Winter Available Amenities and Activities Restrooms Available Parking Available Trails Available Description The original Oden State Fish Hatchery was established in 1921 and continued to operate until 2002. The new Oden State Fish Hatchery complex was" /> Spring Summer Fall Winter Available Amenities and Activities Restrooms Available Parking Available Trails Available Description The original Oden State Fish Hatchery was established in 1921 and continued to operate until 2002. The new Oden State Fish Hatchery complex was" /> Oden State Fish Hatchery - Sunset Coast Birding Trail

Best Seasons to Visit

Spring Summer Fall Winter

Available Amenities and Activities

Restrooms Available Parking Available Trails Available

Description

The original Oden State Fish Hatchery was established in 1921 and continued to operate until 2002. The new Oden State Fish Hatchery complex was completed in 2002 and is one of the most advanced fish culture facilities of its kind. This facility is the brown and rainbow trout broodstock station and is a major rearing facility for those two species. The facility has production buildings for rearing and broodstock, outdoor rearing facilities and a state of the art effluent treatment system. The old hatchery has been transformed into a Great Lakes watershed interpretation area, featuring the Michigan Fisheries Visitor Center that includes a replica of a fish transportation railcar.

For visitors, the key areas of interest will be the new interpretive facilities and trails, the replica fish car, the show pond (one of the old hatcheries spring ponds), the broodstock building which have very large brown and rainbow trout, the production raceways and the new hatchery complex. Egg take operations take place from late September into early January. Please call ahead for the egg-take dates if you are interested in watching.

Birders will enjoy opportunities to see Bald Eagles and Osprey up close.  The ponds produce a multitude of insects that attract songbirds.  Walk the trails around the ponds and through the trees to find flocks of migrant warblers in the spring.  It is not unusual to find ten or more species of warbler on a single visit in May.  Waterfowl, such as Hooded Mergansers and Wood Ducks, can also be found on the ponds.  Flycatchers and Vireos are also present in the warmer months.  Belted Kingfishers are regular.  Also, look for shorebirds such as Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers.  In the colder months, look for overwintering waterfowl such as Redheads, Common Goldeneyes, and Buffleheads.

What’s Nearby

Petoskey, Harbor Springs

Notable Birds

Bald Eagle, Osprey, Black-and-white Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Hooded Merganser, Wood Duck, Tufted Titmouse, Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, Belted Kingfisher,

Recent Sightings

Species Quantity Observation Date Confirmed

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