Root River Steelhead Facility Open House
From Hatchery to Hook - Supporting Lake Michigan's Fishery
Join us on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for an open house at the Root River Steelhead Facility in Racine - 2200 Domanik Drive - where eggs from trout and salmon are collected for raising at a hatchery to produce the next generation of fish to test Lake Michigan anglers.
Everyone is encouraged to attend this free, fun-filled event, whether you're a novice angler, a veteran angler or just like to see fish! Enjoy guided tours of the facility with DNR crews demonstrating fish spawning procedures, fishing rod casting lessons, fly-tying and more.
Visit the Root River Steelhead Facility Open House for tours, demonstrations and much more!
The Root River Steelhead Facility is located in Lincoln Park along the beautiful Root River in Racine. The facility was built in 1992-1993 by the DNR in partnership with Salmon Unlimited Wisconsin to aid in the capture and egg collection of migrating trout and salmon. Millions of trout and salmon are stocked annually into Lake Michigan tributaries, where they spend their young lives before entering Lake Michigan to live and grow. Eventually these trout and salmon return to the same stream where they were stocked to perform their annual spawning rituals.
The DNR and Salmon Unlimited Wisconsin strongly encourage people of all ages to take part in a great day at a great place along the great Root River.
Activities
- Guided tours of our spawning facility
- Fish spawning demonstrations
- Kid's casting* - Catch a backyard bass!
- Fly rod casting lessons*
- Touch of the Wild Exhibit
- And more
*These activities are weather permitting.
See where Lake Michigan fishing begins.