Fishing_Content Page_Hatchery Open Houses

Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility and Root River Steelhead Facility Open Houses 2025

Children pointing and observing a large fish in a fish tank.
 

Check Out The Fun At Our Open Houses

Get a close-up look at how Wisconsin DNR fisheries crews give nature a helping hand to keep fishing great on Lake Michigan. Open houses at two of the state's three egg-collecting facilities along the lake's shore allow you to see DNR crews collecting eggs from fish. These eggs will produce the next generation of fish to be raised at state hatcheries and stocked back into the "big pond." Enjoy spin casting, knot-tying, concessions and educational programs as well.

Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility || Root River Steelhead Facility

 

Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility - Open House Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025

The Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility in Kewaunee is having an open house on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. The open house will feature many fun activities, including wagon rides, T-shirt fish printing, guided facility tours, sturgeon adoption, fishing games, displays and demonstrations. Open house visitors will also watch Chinook salmon spawning and egg collection up close. The facility is located at N3884 Ransom Moore Lane, Kewaunee. For more information, call (920) 388-1025.

WHEN: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025

WHERE: Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility
N3884 Ransom Moore Lane
Kewaunee, WI 54216

MORE INFO: (920) 388-1025

Directions to the Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility

  • From Green Bay: Highway 29 East; 29 miles to County Highway B; turn left (North) 1 mile to the stop sign at County Highway F; turn right (East) 2 miles; down a large hill with a wide sweeping turn to Ransom Moore Lane (just before bridge and river) (large sign with fish in a field on the left); turn left-The facility is at the end of Ransom Moore Lane.
  • From Manitowoc / Two Rivers: Highway 42 North to Kewaunee and Highway 29; turn left (West) to "y" in the road. Veer right on County Highway C to County Highway F at Footbridge, WI; turn left on County Highway F (large County Highway shop building/s) 1/3 mile (across the bridge over the river), then first right turn onto Ransom Moore Lane (large sign with fish in the field on the left)-The facility is at the end of Ransom Moore Lane.
  • From Sheboygan, Milwaukee, Chicago: I43 North to Highway 29-just South of Green Bay; Highway 29 East; 25 miles to County Highway B; turn left (North) 1 mile to stop sign at County Highway F; turn right (East) 2 miles; down a large hill with a wide sweeping turn to Ransom Moore Lane (just before bridge and river) (large sign with fish in a field on the left); turn left. The facility is at the end of Ransom Moore Lane.
  • From Sturgeon Bay: Highway 42 South to Kewaunee and Highway 29; turn right (West) to "y" in the road veer right on County Highway C to County Highway F at Footbridge, WI; turn left on County Highway F (large County Highway shop building/s) 1/3 mile (across the bridge over the river) then first right turn onto Ransom Moore Lane (large sign with fish in a field on the left). The facility is at the end of Ransom Moore Lane.

 

Root River Steelhead Facility - Open House Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025

Join us Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for an open house [PDF] at the Root River Steelhead Facility in Racine, where we collect eggs from trout and salmon to produce the next generation of fish to test Lake Michigan anglers.

Everyone is encouraged to attend this fun-filled event, whether you're a seasoned angler, a nature enthusiast, or looking for a unique and educational outing with the family. We're offering guided tours of the Root River Steelhead Facility and live fish spawning demonstrations. Thanks to partnerships with Salmon Unlimited, Milwaukee Great Lakes Sportfishermen, and Southeast Wisconsin Trout Unlimited we'll have fun, hands-on learning experiences. Don't miss the Touch of the Wild education trailer, fly casting lessons, and the backyard bass game – perfect for young anglers in the making! A Lake Michigan fishing boat with a skilled captain will also be displayed. We hope to see you all there!

The Root River Steelhead Facility was built in the early 1990s to help the DNR manage Lake Michigan's trout and salmon fishery more effectively. Each spring and fall, migrating rainbow trout (steelhead), Chinook and Coho salmon enter the streams for their annual spawning ritual.

WHAT: Root River Steelhead Facility Open House

WHEN: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025

WHERE: Root River Steelhead Facility
2200 Domanik Drive
Racine, WI 53404

Directions to the Root River Steelhead Facility

To get to the Root River Steelhead Facility from I-94, go east on Highway 20 to Highway 31. Go north on Highway 31 to Highway C (Spring Street). Turn right onto Spring Street to Domanik Drive. Turn left on Domanik Drive and go to Lincoln Park. Follow the DNR signs to the facility.

Another route would take you south on Hwy 38 to Spring Street. Take a right on Spring Street and then travel about two blocks to the entrance of Lincoln Park. A large sign denoting the Root River Steelhead Facility will direct you into the park. Take Domanik Drive through the park to the facility.