ODEN — Whether you’re in the mood for a nature walk or are interested in some summer learning opportunities, a trip to the Oden State Fish Hatchery is a great way to spend a few extra hours.
With two entrances, one off of U.S. 31 with a view of the historic train car, and one off South Ayr Road with access to the hatchery itself, there are plenty of options for your visit.
The nature trail at the Oden State Fish Hatchery is shown.
The Oden State Fish Hatchery is one of six state hatcheries in the state. The others are located in Marquette, Thompson, Platte River, Harrietta and Wolf Lake.
If you park near the hatchery, it’s around a 10-minute walk to see one of the major draws of the hatchery: the big fish ponds.
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Sarah, Jacob and Jeff Powell, visiting from Pinckney, feed the fish in one of the ponds at the Oden State Fish Hatchery on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
The big fish ponds have food readily available for you to feed the fish when you arrive. There, you can see some of the large retired fish race for snacks within the spring-fed ponds. There is a large deck for viewing, with nearby benches to sit and observe. If you get really lucky, you may see some waterfowl racing across the ponds, too.
Fish swim in one of three spring-fed ponds available for guests to observe at the Oden State Fish Hatchery.
From the pond, you can take a quick trip around the nature trail, which also bridges over the Oden Creek. From the trail, you can count on hearing sounds of cicadas humming and chickadees flittering from tree to tree.
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A great blue heron is seen in the Oden Creek on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
The full loop takes you past the stream viewing chamber, which gives you a live look at the river’s ecosystem. Within the viewing area and along the walk, there is information about what bugs and fish live in the local ecosystem, as well as why a fish may choose to settle in a river’s pool, for example.
As you approach the stream viewing chamber at the Oden State Fish Hatchery, there’s small signs for visitors to read explaining why a fish may live in a certain habitat.
From there, you can make your way to the visitors center and railcar.
The railcar, which is a 1914-1935 Wolverine Trail Car, showcases how members of the Department of Conservation would live on the train while transporting and stocking fish throughout the state.
The 1914-1935 Wolverine Trail Car at the Oden State Fish Hatchery is seen on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
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The current visitors center is where hatchery work used to take place. Originally built in 1920, the site housing the center was where eggs were hatched into fry, and the second floor was reserved as the manager’s residence. The current hatchery building was built in 2002.
Alongside the visitors center is an array of solar panels and an informational sign. Additionally, there are two state historical site markers nearby, including one about the extinction of passenger pigeons and another about the first state Game and Fish Warden, William Alden Smith.
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The visitors center at the Oden State Fish Hatchery is seen on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
While the hatchery offers lots of information on the local watershed, the work the DNR does to combat invasive species and more, it also offers opportunities for birdwatching, mushroom hunting and insect spotting. There’s even a scavenger hunt for people to play along with on the website.
The Oden Fish Hatchery’s trails and viewing platform are open year-round, with the visitors center open from May-October, with varying hours throughout the season. The hatchery also hosts guided tours, which actually allow you to see the brooding fish. For more information about the hatchery or to find times for a tour, visit michigan.gov/hatcheries or call the visitors center directly at 231-348-0998.
— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @KarlyGrahamJrn.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Northern Michigan summer fun: Take a trip to the Oden State Fish Hatchery to learn about ecosystem
