Word from MN-FISH Executive Director–
With the election in the rear-view mirror, MN-FISH is preparing for the upcoming legislative session. One of our highest priorities is starting the process to replace the outdated metro fish hatchery located on Warner Road in St. Paul. This hatchery plays an important role—it’s the one that raises fish for all stocking of the greater metro area lakes, plus the lakes and ponds in the DNR’s “Fishing in the Neighborhood Youth program”.
Because of its age and unsafe conditions, this hatchery is not open for tours by school children. Only able body adults in small groups can tour the hatchery and see its maze of dilapidated equipment, some of which is held together by duct tape.
After touring the facility in the spring of 2023, Dave Osborne, MN-FISH board member and owner of Clam Outdoors, was quoted in the Star Tribune: “This hatchery is 129 years old, no kidding. And it looks like it’s 129 years old,” Osborne quipped. “If you really want to take the state of Minnesota and say that fishing is the centerpiece in this state, and take it seriously, we need to upgrade.”
Thank you to State Representative Erin Keogel (39A) Spring Lake Park for attending a tour organized by MN-FISH of the St. Paul Fish Hatchery in an effort to highlight this much needed upgrade.
Following the tour, MN-FISH shared its vision for a metro hatchery that will meet the future stocking needs of the region and be a fish/fishing education center for school aged children and the general public. In addition, the new facility could be open to the public and serve as a leading fish research facility partnering with the U of M and the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
In the coming weeks, MN-FISH will set up more tours for legislators to demonstrate the need to replace the existing facility. When legislators see for themselves, we believe they may be ready to pass a $2 million bonding request to begin the task of creating a new metro fish hatchery.
Other MN-FISH legislative priorities for 2025 include: public boat access restorations, expanded shore fishing opportunities, and continued fish hatchery modernization.
Mark Holsten
The MN-FISH Foundation and Coalition holds nonprofit status, recognized by the IRS under section 501(c)3 and 501(c)4.
