Many hatcheries produce only warm or cold-water fish based on their water source. Jake Wolf Hatchery is unique in that it simultaneously rears 16 species of cold, cool and warm water fish. Now approaching its 40th year in service, Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery remains the largest of the three hatcheries in the state of Illinois. Since opening in 1983, the hatchery has produced over 500 million sportfish encompassing 21 species. In the first ten years, hatchery staff produced and stocked over 100 million cold, cool and warm water fish around Illinois. When the hatchery opened, Spring Grove salmon production ceased, and cold-water fish production became exclusive to Jake Wolf. In 1993, a visitor center with fish- and aquaculture-themed interpretive displays was completed on the top level of the existing hatchery building. His seven terms in the Illinois General Assembly were marked with the passage of numerous conservation bills that benefitted Illinois sportswomen and sportsmen. In 1985, Sand Ridge Hatchery was officially renamed to the Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery in honor of the late Jacob John "Jake" Wolf, former Deputy Director of Conservation. In 1983, construction was completed and fish production began. On December 3rd, 1979, ground was broken on what would become Sand Ridge Hatchery, named after the Sand Ridge State Forest in which the hatchery was located. With stocking requests for both salmon and native fish skyrocketing, the State of Illinois planned to construct a new hatchery one capable of producing the high volume and diversity of fish needed to keep up with increasing demands. With the salmon gorging themselves on alewife and growing to immense sizes, Lake Michigan experienced an angling boon that birthed a multi-billion dollar sport fishery. As salmon stocking efforts ramped up, Spring Grove Hatchery, Illinois’s first and oldest fish hatchery, was converted into a salmon production site in 1971. What was initially an experiment to control an invasive species was extremely successful as the salmon thrived in the cold waters of Lake Michigan. In the mid-1960s, non-native Chinook and Coho Salmon were being introduced into Lake Michigan as a method to control the invasive alewife, a shad-like baitfish from the Atlantic Ocean. Shore anglers can tussle with giant blue catfish and hybrid stripers at Powerton Lake, while boat anglers can target largemouth bass and muskie at Spring Lake North and Banner Marsh. Anglers will also find great fishing opportunities just minutes away from the hatchery at the surrounding state wildlife areas. Two national wildlife refuges, Emiquon and Chautauqua, are within 20 miles of the hatchery and attract birders from around the country. Located on the historic Illinois River Road, Jake Wolf is a popular destination for travelers and nature lovers alike. The 160-acre site sits in the center of the 7,200 acre Sand Ridge State Forest. Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery is located in Mason County five miles west of Manito, IL.
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