The Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, located just eight miles west of Kalamazoo, has some free programs in October for families and individuals of all ages. Bring a chair for birdwatching, take a fall color hike, go on an owl prowl, learn about duck migration, and bring the kids—or grandkids—for catch-and-release fishing.
Saturdays, Oct. 8 and 15, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. is Fall Fishing Days. Children ages 3 to 16 can practice catch-and-release fishing. All equipment is provided. Children are guaranteed to fish for 30 minutes. No registration required; fishing slots are available on a first come, first serve basis.
Sunday, Oct. 9, from 8 – 10 a.m. and again from 4 – 6 p.m., join the DNR for “The Big Sit.” Bring a chair and join us in recording as many bird species as we can spot. Bring binoculars, scopes and field guides if you have them.
Saturday, Oct. 22, at 9 a.m., learn about our feathered friends, the ducks and geese that stop at the hatchery’s ponds during migration. Then, at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 pm., there will be a fall discovery hike to learn about Michigan trees, and at 7 p.m. an “Owl Prowl” to see owls that live on the hatchery grounds.
Hatchery tours are available each weekend in October and the first three weekends in November. Learn about a variety of fish species, their life cycles and habitats and how the Department of Natural Resources works to protect and conserve Michigan’s lakes, rivers and streams to maintain a world class fishery. Tours last 30 minutes and are available Saturday at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. and on Sundays at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
During October and the first three weekends in November, the Visitor Center’s fall hours are Tuesday – Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays noon to 4 p.m. There is no admission charge and all events and programs are free.
The Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery Visitor Center is located in Mattawan at Hatchery Road and M-43, six miles west of US-131.
For detailed information on fall programs, visit www.michigan.gov/dnrvisitorcenters. Click on “Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center” and then “Wolf Lake Current Events Calendar,” or call the visitor center at 269-668-2876.