The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Detroit Lakes State Fish Hatchery, also known as the Lake Sallie State Fish Hatchery, on Aug. 9, from 1-3 p.m., at Dunton Locks County Park on Lake Sallie in Detroit Lakes.
The public is invited to celebrate with past and present DNR Fisheries staff who will gather at the park picnic shelter to give presentations about the history of the hatchery from the DNR Fisheries Section and hatchery stories from Wilbur Joy, son of long time hatchery manager William Joy. Other activities include hatchery tours, fishing on the pier with MinnAqua staff (no license or equipment needed) and refreshments at the picnic shelter.
The Lake Sallie State Fish Hatchery is one of 12 warm water hatcheries operated by the DNR. Since it began operation in 1912, the Lake Sallie State Hatchery has raised walleye, muskie, largemouth bass, black crappies, sunfish, trout and sturgeon. The first walleye eggs were harvested from the Lake Sallie site in 1915. This year, the hatchery raised more than 31 million walleye fry for stocking local waters.
More information on the Detroit Lakes Area Fisheries activities can be found at http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_wildlife/heritage/factsheets/pdf/fisheries-detroitlakes.pdf.
