Production Capacities of the Wisconsin Department of ... · the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (WDNR) fish propagation and stocking programs entitled An Evaluation -

Production Capacities of the WisconsinDepartment of Natural Resources’Fish Propagation Facilities

by

The Bureau of Fisheries Management and Habitat Protection101 S. Webster StreetP.O. Box 7921Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7921

for

The Joint Legislative Audit CommitteeState CapitolMadison, Wisconsin 53703

July 1998

Contents

Report Summary ........................................................................................................................................................ iI. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 1II. The Science of Propagation .................................................................................................................. 1

How Scientific Principles Affect Fish Production .............................................................. 1III. Indices for the Production of Coldwater Fish Species ......................................................... 2

Flow Index ................................................................................................................................................ 2Density Index ......................................................................................................................................... 3Summary of Coldwater Indices .................................................................................................. 4

IV. Warm/Coolwater Fish Rearing Densities ..................................................................................... 4V. Methods Used to Gather Information on Production Capacities .................................. 6VI. Results ............................................................................................................................................................... 6VII. Discussion ....................................................................................................................................................... 9VIII. Appendix: Summaries of Hatchery/Rearing Facilities in Wisconsin ........................ 13

Bayfield Hatchery .............................................................................................................................. 14Brule Hatchery ..................................................................................................................................... 15C.D. Besadny Anadramous Fish Facility ................................................................................ 16Kettle Moraine Springs Hatchery ............................................................................................. 17Lake Mills Hatchery .......................................................................................................................... 19Lakewood Rearing Station .......................................................................................................... 21Langlade Hatchery .......................................................................................................................... 22Nevin Hatchery ................................................................................................................................... 23Oehmcke (Woodruff) Hatchery ................................................................................................. 25Osceola Hatchery ............................................................................................................................. 26South Central Region Operations .......................................................................................... 28Southeast Region Rearing Ponds .......................................................................................... 29St. Croix Falls Hatchery ................................................................................................................. 29Thompson (Spooner) Hatchery ............................................................................................... 30Thunder River Rearing Station ................................................................................................ 32West Central Region Operations ............................................................................................ 33Westfield Hatchery .......................................................................................................................... 35Wild Rose Hatchery ......................................................................................................................... 36

ReportSummary

In 1997, the Wisconsin LegislativeAudit Bureau published a report onthe Wisconsin Department of Natural

Resources’ (WDNR) fish propagation andstocking programs entitled An Evaluation -Fish Stocking - Department of Natural Re-sources - Report 97-9. The report recommendedthat the WDNR summarize the productioncapacity of each of its hatcheries, rearingstations, ponds, and any other productionfacilities and, based on long-range propagationand stocking goals, identify the extent ofunused capacity.

This report focuses on the Legislative AuditBureau’s recommendation by defining theaspects of production capacity, briefly present-ing the science and methods that are applied indetermining production capacity, and summa-rizing the species-specific production capacityof the Department’s propagation program onboth an individual facility and statewidebasis.

PRODUCTION CAPACITIESFor the purposes of this report, productioncapacity is defined as the number and poundsof fish of a given species, age, and size (lengthand weight) that a WDNR facility can producefor transfer to other facilities and/or forstocking. Production capacities are summa-rized at the following levels:

• Optimum Sustained Production (theoptimum number and pounds ofhigh quality fish that can be producedon a consistent basis), and

• Maximum Sustained Production (themaximum number and pounds ofreasonably healthy fish that can beproduced on a consistent basis).

These definitions deserve considerationbecause, unlike many commercial hatcherieswhere fish produced directly for consumptionor for stocking as catchable fish in privateponds for immediate harvest, almost all of thefish that the Department of Natural Resources

stocks have to be able to survive for a period oftime, sometime years, to fulfill the managementgoals that prompted the stocking.

INDICES OF PRODUCTIONProduction capacities have been estimated fromthe calculations of several indices. The DensityIndex expresses the carrying capacity ofintensive, coldwater rearing units in pounds offish per cubic foot of water, while the FlowIndex is expressed by the pounds of fish pergallon per minute of water inflow. These twotheoretical indices, along with the knownaverage production and professional judge-ment have been used to estimate the optimumand sustained production capacity in thestate’s coldwater facilities (Table 1).

In extensive, warm or coolwater fish rearingponds, the carrying capacity is usually ex-pressed in pounds of production per acre.Average production figures and professionaljudgement have been used to estimate theproduction capacity in the state’s warm/coolwater facilities (Table 2).

DATA PRESENTATIONThe information presented is a summary ofdata generated by hatchery supervisors thatoversee the WDNRs’ fish hatchery facilities.Statewide production capacity estimates arepresented by the number and pounds of aparticular species’ life stage (for example, eggs,fry, and fingerling) either transferred out of thehatchery or stocked into the wild. Tables 1 and2 are composite, generalized tables.

In evaluating these statewide productioncapacity tables, it is important to understandthat although the transferred fish are movedout of one hatchery and either to anotherfacility, rearing pond, or into the wild, they canrepresent a significant component of anindividual facility’s production capacity.Additionally, one has to remember that thisinformation represents a combination of fishspecies and ages that is being reared in each ofthe facilities in the system to meet currentmanagement needs. As those needs change,the production scenarios, within limits, willalso change.

Information for each DNR fish propagationfacility is presented alphabetically in Appendix1. These summaries include information on the

i

facility history, fish production (optimum andmaximum sustained), physical plant, budget,operational complexity, staffing, and produc-tion limitations of the facility.

PRODUCTION LIMITATIONSProduction capacity at any WDNR fishpropagation facility can and will be as limitedby the operations funding and staffing avail-

able, as the amount of rearing space availablein the facility. Therefore, production levelspresented can only be achieved if adequatefunding is provided for facility maintenance orrenovation, increased operating expensescoincide with increased production, andadequate staffing by trained personnel exists toensure that the fish produced meet the manage-ment needs.

Optimum Sustained Production Maximum Sustained ProductionFlow Density Professional Discharge ProfessionalIndex Index Judgement Water Quatlity Judgement

Transfers Eggs 8,710,000 3,810,000 9,500,000 10,775,000Fry 5,374,460 2,591,080 4,790,000 5,590,000

Spring Fgl 2,003,720 1,735,525 1,897,550 2,095,122Fall Fgl 36,400 409,200 190,000 240,000

Stocking Spring Fgl 1,355,570 2,069,620 1,859,015 2,524,390Fall Fgl 1,384,685 2,581,810 1,635,935 1,901,766

Yearling 2,443,650 8,047,985 3,190,127 3,742,169Adult 10,200 8,200 10,200 11,000

Total Fry 5,374,460 2,591,080 4,790,000 5,590,000Production Spring Fgl 3,359,290 3,805,145 3,756,565 4,619,512

Fall Fgl 1,421,085 2,991,010 1,825,935 2,141,766Yearling 2,443,650 8,047,985 3,190,127 3,742,169

Adult 10,200 8,200 10,200 11,000

TABLE 1. Total statewide production capacity estimates at WDNRs’ coldwater hatchery facilitiesgenerated by using established indices and professional experience. Optimum Sustained Productionis the optimum number of high quality fish that can be produced on a consistent basis. MaximumSustained Production is the number of reasonably healthy fish that can be produced on a consistentbasis. Flow Index is limited by the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. Density Index is limited bythe spatial relationship of one fish to another. Transfers represent fish species that are transferredto other hatchery facilities or rearing ponds.

Optimum Sustained Production Maximum Sustained ProductionAverage Professional Discharge ProfessionalProduction Judgement Water Quatlity Judgement

Transfers Eggs 168,107,800 211,334,000Small Fgl 311,887 441,520

Trans/Stock Fry 56,613,898 87,370,000

Stocked Small Fgl 4,796,470 7,385,575Large Fgl 144,495 257,440

X-Large Fgl 72,775 72,345Yearling 200 10,250

TotalProduction All Stages 154,640,325 209,823,130

TABLE 2. Total statewide production capacity estimates at WDNRs’ warm/coolwater hatchery facilitiesgenerated by using average production and professional experience. Transfers represent fishspecies that are transferred to other hatchery facilities or rearing ponds.

ii

I. INTRODUCTIONIn 1997, the Wisconsin Legislative AuditBureau published a report on the WisconsinDepartment of Natural Resources’ (WDNR)fish propagation and stocking programsentitled An Evaluation - Fish Stocking - Depart-ment of Natural Resources - Report 97-9. Thereport recommended that the WDNR summa-rize the production capacity of each of itshatcheries, rearing stations, ponds, and anyother production facilities and, based on long-range propagation and stocking goals, eventu-ally identify the extent of unused capacity.

This report focuses on the Legislative AuditBureau’s recommendation by defining theaspects of production capacity, briefly present-ing the science and methods that are applied indetermining production capacity, and summa-rizing the species-specific production capacityof the Department’s propagation program onboth an individual facility and statewide basis.The information compiled to make this reportwill be used by the WDNRs’ Bureau of Fisher-ies Management and Habitat Protection todevelop a comprehensive long-range propaga-tion and stocking plan.

II. THE SCIENCE OF PROPAGATIONThere are a variety of scientific principles thatare applied in determining production capaci-ties. The following glossary section has beenincluded to assist in the understanding of themethods used to arrive at the the final produc-tion capacity estimates.

Carrying capacity. - Carrying capacity is theanimal load a system can support. This, inturn, directly results in the production capacity,which is the amount (usually numbers andpounds) of animals that a system can producefor the final usage (sales, stocking, transfer toother facilities, etc.). In a fish hatchery, thecarrying capacity depends on:

Water Flow. - The amount of water available tothe rearing unit(s), usually expressed in gallonsper minute (gpm).

Volume. - The amount of rearing space avail-able in the rearing unit(s), usually expressed incubic feet (tanks and raceways) or acre feet(ponds).

Exchange rate. - The amount of time requiredfor one complete change of water in a rearingunit.

Water temperature. - Usually expressed indegrees Fahrenheit (oF).

Oxygen supply. - The amount of dissolvedoxygen available in the rearing water, usuallyexpressed in parts per million (ppm).

Rearing density. - The number or pounds of fishbeing reared in a given volume of rearing space.

Metabolic products. - Carbon dioxide, urea,ammonia and feces given off by fish.

pH. - The measurement of acidity or alkalinityof the water supply.

HOW SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES AFFECT FISHPRODUCTIONInsufficient water flow and exchange rate inrearing units may cause low oxygen supply,especially in higher rearing densities, such asare used for trout and salmon. As fish consumeoxygen, they also excrete metabolic productsinto the water. If the fish are to survive andgrow, ammonia and other metabolic productsmust be diluted and removed by a sufficientwater flow. Because metabolic productsincrease with fish growth and rearing density,the water flow must be increased as fish grow.

The amount of water flow and the exchangerate are particularly important in high rearingdensity fish culture, such as is generally usedto rear trout and salmon. This high densityrearing is also referred to as intensive rearing.In most warm/coolwater fish propagation,especially in outdoor ponds, the fish are held ata much lower rearing density so the water flowand exchange rate needed is much lower. Thislow density rearing is also referred to asextensive rearing. In addition, the largersurface area of ponds and exposure to windcreate a more effective interface for the water toabsorb oxygen directly from the air.

The pH of the water supply is important indetermining the safe level of ammonia, ametabolic product of fish. For example, anincrease of pH from 8.0 to 9.0 increases theamount of unionized ammonia approximately

1

tenfold. When unionized ammonia levelsexceed 0.0125 parts per million, trout canexhibit reduced growth rates, and damage togill, kidney and liver tissues.

The oxygen supply must be sufficient tomaintain normal growth. Oxygen consump-tion varies with water temperature and withfish species, size, and activity. When swim-ming speed and water temperature increase,oxygen consumption increases. Low oxygensupply in rearing units may be caused byinsufficient water flow, overloading with fish,high water temperature which lowers thesolubility of oxygen in water, or low oxygensupply in the source water. At hatcheries withchronic low oxygen supply and comparativelyhigh water temperatures, production must beheld down to levels that safely utilize theavailable oxygen supply, or supplementalaeration will be required.

A depleted oxygen supply can occur at night inponds that contain large amounts of aquaticvegetation or phytoplankton. Here again,aeration may be necessary to increase theoxygen supply.

Catastrophic fish losses because of overloadedrearing facilities (exceeding the carryingcapacity) are an ever-present danger in fishhatcheries. Many successful managers haveoperated a fish hatchery as an art, makingjudgements by intuition and experience.However, there are several quantitative ap-proaches for estimating carrying capacities infish hatcheries.

III. INDICES FOR THE PRODUCTION OFCOLDWATER FISH SPECIESThe carrying capacity of an intensivecoldwater rearing unit is usually stated aspounds of fish per cubic foot of water (DensityIndex) or the pounds of fish per gallon perminute water inflow (Flow Index). In extensivewarm/coolwater fish rearing in ponds, thecarrying capacity is usually expressed inpounds of production per acre. Although all ofthese criteria are commonly used to expresscarrying capacity, they are often used withoutregard for each other, which can be misleading.

The term Flow Index refers to the relationshipof fish weight and size to water supply and the

term Density Index refers to the relationship offish weight and size to water volume. There areclear distinctions as to the effects of these twoexpressions. Both indices can vary by thespecies and size of fish being reared. They aremost often applied in determining rearingcapacity in intensive, coldwater rearingscenarios such as trout and salmon hatcheries.

FLOW INDEXThe Flow Index deals specifically with theamount of dissolved oxygen available in agiven water flow for life support and growth. Aformula has been developed that identifies thesafe carrying capacity for various sizes of troutbased on fish length and weight and the givenflow volume.

Because the Flow Index is based on the amountof dissolved oxygen available, one has toconsider the primary factors that determine themaximum amount (saturation) of dissolvedoxygen that water can hold under normalconditions, water temperature, and elevation(altitude).

The colder the water temperature, until frozen,the more dissolved oxygen it will hold atsaturation. The effect of water temperature onthe Flow Index can directly impact carryingcapacity at a hatchery where the water tem-perature varies seasonally, as is common withan open (other than a well) water supply. Adecrease in water temperature would increasethe Flow Index, because the metabolic rate ofthe fish normally would drop, causing them touse less oxygen, and the oxygen concentrationat saturation would increase with the drop inwater temperature. The reverse would be truewith a rise in water temperature.

In addition, the higher the elevation of ahatchery, the less dissolved oxygen the watercan hold at a given temperature. This isbecause the lower atmospheric pressure athigher altitude allows dissolved oxygen toescape from the water more readily.

Tables have been developed that provide thesekinds of information to the hatchery manager.Although such tables are useful for planningand estimating preliminary carrying capacityin a trout or salmon hatchery, they should beconsidered only as a guide and specific Flow

2

Indices ultimately should be developed at eachindividual hatchery.

Flow Index calculations are important at mostWDNR trout and salmon hatcheries wherewater is reused through a series of raceways orponds and the dissolved oxygen concentrationmay decrease as the water flows through theseries. As a result, if aeration does not restorethe oxygen supply to the original concentrationbetween uses, the carrying capacity or FlowIndex will decrease after each “use” in araceway series, somewhat proportional to thedecrease in the dissolved oxygen concentration.The carrying capacity of succeeding racewaysin the series can be calculated by determiningthe percent decrease in dissolved oxygenconcentration in the water flow, but only downto the minimum acceptable oxygen concen-tration for the fish species.

Generally, the Flow Index method of determin-ing carrying capacity is limited to intensiverearing of fish in situations where oxygenavailability is regulated by the inflowing water,such as most trout and salmon hatcheries.

In extensive rearing systems involving largeponds, oxygen availability depends to a greaterextent on oxygen replacement through thesurface area of the water. Water inflow in suchsituations is not as significant in determiningcarrying capacity as pond surface area andtotal volume. However, rearing ponds withheavy loading of fish or high levels of nighttimeoxygen use by plants have been known toundergo dissolved oxygen depletion to thepoint where supplemental aeration is required.

DENSITY INDEXThe Density Index indicates the spatial rela-tionship of one fish to another. What affectdoes loading density, as pounds or numbers offish per cubic foot of rearing space, have oncarrying capacity? Even though water flowsmay be adequate to provide oxygen and flushwastes (Flow Index), too much crowding(Density Index) may cause the fish to havebehavioral and physical problems. This isespecially true with “wild” fish, that is, fishthat originated from feral parents.

Purely economic considerations dictate that theDensity Index be maintained as high as is

practical. However, a reduction in loadingdensity of fish has been reported to result inbetter quality fish, even though there was noapparent environmental stress in their originalcrowded situation.

Most carrying capacity tables are based on themaximum fish loading density possiblewithout excessive dissolved oxygen depletion,and ignore the pathogen load of the watersupply. It is known that in steelhead rearingponds, parasites apparently cannot be con-trolled by formalin treatments if the loadingexceeds seven to eight pounds of fish per gallonof water per minute at 60-70 Fo. Carryingcapacities tables are available that are based onrearing densities that include disease andoptimum health considerations for chinookand coho salmon.

Experience has shown that loading density canbe safely increased as fish increase in length.This information provides the principle that asfish length increases, fish loading can beincreased proportionally. A Density Index canbe established that uses fish length in deter-mining the pounds of fish to be held per cubicfoot of rearing space. A rule of thumb that hasbeen used to avoid undue crowding of domes-tic trout is to hold them at densities in poundsper cubic foot no greater than half their lengthin inches (i.e., 2-inch fish at one pound percubic foot, 4-inch fish at two pounds per cubicfoot, etc.). This results in a Density Index equalto 0.5.

Through extensive experience with propagat-ing wild trout (brook, brown, rainbow, and laketrout), the Department has found that a DensityIndex of 0.25 results in a better quality fish withfewer health problems. Other agencies that rearlandlocked or Atlantic salmon have found thatthey also require lower rearing densities. Thesereduced loading densities are not the result ofoxygen depletion or water quality, but simplyseem to be related to the amount of crowdingthat these fish will tolerate.

This concept of space requirement assumes thatthe Density Index remains constant as the fishincrease in length. In reality, experience hasshown that larger fish may be able to toleratehigher densities in proportion to their length.This method has proved to be a practicalhatchery management tool, nonetheless, and

3

can be used with any species of fish for whicha Density Index has been determined. Like theFlow Index, the Density Index tends to be mostapplicable in intensive rearing situations.

Much of the preceding material was taken fromthe publication, Fish Hatchery Management, byR. Piper and others published by the U.S. Fishand Wildlife Service in 1986.

SUMMARY OF COLDWATER INDICESFlow Index or Density Index calculations ofrearing unit loadings should be based on thefinal weights and lengths anticipated when thefish are to be harvested or when the loadingsare reduced by thinning. In this way, maxi-mum rearing unit (density) and water flowrequirements will be delineated and frequentadjusting of water flows or fish transfers can beavoided.

In applying either of these techniques ofcalculating carrying capacity for any fishpropagation facility, one has to be careful to usethe method that is most limiting i.e., using theDensity Index to calculate the trout loading fora large tank with a very limited water supplywould probably lead to severe overloading.Therefore, the most prudent approach wouldbe to work through both sets of calculations,and apply the one that provided the mostconservative results.

Additionally, in rearing fish, one is workingwith living organisms that will provide avariety of tolerances for their living conditions.The combination of environmental parameterswill vary greatly between facilities, and evenbetween apparently identical rearing units atthe same facility. These factors make it almostimpossible to create a formula or model thatwill accurately reflect the situation at everyhatchery. Formulas are no substitute for a longsequence of carefully documented rearingcycles to determines what works and whatdoesn’t at a given facility. That is to say, there’sno substitute for experience and good records.

On the other hand, when a hatchery manageris faced with an unknown such as a new bankof raceways, or a substantially changed rearingwater volume, the Flow and Density indicesgive the manager the means to calculate aprudent starting point.

IV. WARM/COOLWATER FISH REARINGDENSITIESAcceptable rearing densities for warm andcoolwater fish propagation are related to thetype of rearing employed (intensive or exten-sive) and the species being raised. The appro-priate density is influenced by such factors asdesired growth rate, carrying capacity of therearing facility, and environmental conditions.

Most warm and coolwater fish, other thancatfish, are cultured extensively. In that type ofculture, production capacity is usually deter-mined by the pounds or number of fish pro-duced per acre.

The number of fish needed for the end productis normally used to calculate the number of fryor small fingerling that are stocked into therearing pond to be grown to the size needed.This ratio is usually based on experience as tothe average survival of the smaller fish to theharvest size (i.e. a 50% survival would meanthat one would need to stock twice as many fryin the rearing pond as the number that onehoped to harvest), and the pond’s productioncapacity (i.e. if that pond has a maximumproduction capacity of 50,000 fingerlings of thesize needed, one would probably stock no morethan 100,000 fry to rear).

The production capacities and stocking ratesused for extensive rearing ponds vary widely,depending on a number of factors. Theseinclude construction method, pond configura-tion, pond size, water supply, location (espe-cially latitude, as it affects the growing seasonlength) and management techniques (i.e.,ponds on hatchery grounds can be monitoredmore closely for important parameters such asdissolved oxygen concentration, fertility, andfood supply).

The following paragraphs cover the majorspecies groups of commonly- culturedwarmwater and coolwater fishes in Wisconsin.Stocking and production rates for relatedspecies can be estimated from these examples.

Muskellunge. - In Wisconsin, muskellunge arereared in two different scenarios, in extensivelymanaged earthen (dirt) or synthetically linedponds on hatchery grounds, or in outlyingponds without day-to-day management.

4

In on-hatchery extensive ponds, the dirt pondsare stocked at a rate of 18,000-20,000 fry peracre or 6,000 small fingerling (3.5 inch) per acre(at Wild Rose) resulting in about 5,000 largefingerling per acre. Stocking rates for the newlined pond systems at Oehmcke and Thompsonare still in development with Oehmcke trying15,000, 30,000 and 60,000 fry per acre, andThompson stocking at 15,000-30,000 fry peracre. Production results so far indicate thatlined ponds, producing about 3,500-4,000 largefingerling per acre, may not be as productive formuskellunge as dirt ponds.

The outlying ponds in the West Central Regionare normally stocked with 2-inch fingerling at arate of about 3,500 per acre resulting in anaverage harvest of 1,450 large fingerling peracre.

The production of “yearling” muskellunge hasoccurred to provide larger fish for stocking thefollowing Spring (about 14-inch, 0.7 poundseach) or the following Fall (18-inch, 1.3 poundsapiece) for research or rehabilitation purposes.This is done on a very limited scale, so exten-sive stocking density data is not available. Therange is from 445 large fingerling per acreproducing 315 Fall yearlings per acre in anoutlying pond in the Northeast Region, to 1,430and 2,230 large fingerling per acre producing1,400 and 2,100 Spring yearlings per acre indirt ponds at Spooner (Thompson).

Hybrid muskellunge (tiger). - The only signifi-cant production of this northern pike x muskel-lunge hybrid has occurred at Wild Rose wherefish were reared in “intensive” ponds onartificial diet. The small (0.05 acre) ponds arestocked with 3-inch fingerling at a density of200,000 per acre to produce about 150,000 largefingerling per acre.

Northern pike. - A combination of intensive andextensive culture is applied to this species inWisconsin. In the intensive scenario, these fishare raised at Wild Rose in exactly the samemanner as the hybrid muskellunge previouslydescribed, with almost identical results.

The extensive rearing occurs in dirt and linedponds on hatchery grounds. Fry are usuallystocked in earthen ponds at densities of 3,000to 12,000 per acre depending on the size of thefingerling to be produced (lower density for

larger fish) with production ranging from 800to 7,500 per acre, depending on the size atharvest.

As with muskellunge, the hatcheries with linedponds are on a “learning curve” regardingnorthern pike production. Fry stocking densi-ties of 12,000-34,000 per acre are being used,with the best results to date resulting in 5,300fingerling per acre.

Walleye. - Walleye are also reared in twodifferent scenarios, in extensively managedearthen or synthetically lined ponds onhatchery grounds, or in outlying pondswithout day-to-day management.

In on-hatchery extensive ponds, the dirt pondsare stocked at 50,000-75,000 fry per acreresulting in about 10,000-30,000 fingerling peracre. Stocking rates for the new lined pondsystems at Oehmcke and Thompson are muchhigher at 70,000-130,000 fry per acre. Resultsso far indicate that lined ponds are much moreproductive for walleye than earthen ponds,producing 60,000-113,000 fingerling per acre.

The outlying ponds in the Northern, SouthCentral, and West Central Regions are stockedwith 33,000-80,000 (averaging 49,000) fry peracre and result in production of about 16,000fingerling per acre.

Extra-large or “extended-growth” (5-inch, 25per pound) walleye fingerling are produced inlimited numbers at Oehmcke and Thompson asrequired for special management or researchstocking needs. These fish are produced bystocking 10,000 1.5-2 inch fingerling in a pondand feeding them with forage minnows untilthey are harvested in the fall at an average of9,000 per acre.

Largemouth/Smallmouth bass. - Stockingrearing ponds for bass production takes twoforms in Wisconsin. The majority of the bassproduced for stocking result from adult bassbroodstock being placed in the rearing pondsand being allowed to spawn and care for theyoung bass naturally. Minnows are providedto reduce predation by the adults on theiroffspring. The number of broodstock usedranges from 6 to 50 pairs per acre and results inproduction ranging from 5,000-22,000 finger-ling per acre.

5

The other approach is that used by KettleMoraine Springs where they stock 6,000-10,000small (1.5-2 inch) fingerling per acre and feedthem minnows to produce extra-large or“extended-growth” fingerling (4.5 inch, 25 perpound).

V. METHODS USED TO DEFINE AND GATHERINFORMATION ON PRODUCTION CAPACITIESTo prepare this report, a number of preliminarysteps had to be taken. First, production capac-ity had to be defined. For the purpose of thisreport, production capacity is defined as thenumber and pounds of fish of a given species,age, and size (length and weight) that a WDNRfacility can produce for transfer to otherfacilities and/or for stocking.

Second, the Department had to gather theappropriate information from its fish propaga-tion staff. Each facility was asked to determinetheir capacity for:

• OPTIMUM SUSTAINED PRODUCTION -The optimum number and pounds ofhigh quality fish that can be produced ona consistent basis, and

• MAXIMUM SUSTAINED PRODUCTION- The maximum number and pounds ofreasonably healthy fish that can beproduced on a consistent basis

given their current facilities and water supply,and assuming adequate funding and staffwould be available.

Facilities were provided with backgroundinformation, identical instructions, andguidance that allowed for the creation ofconsistent, uniform evaluations of eachpropagation facility.

VI. RESULTSThe Department’s fish propagation facilitieshave generated production capacities for bothcoldwater and warmwater/coolwater speciesgroups. These individual summaries have beencombined into statewide and individualfacility production capacity tables (Tables 3, 4,5, and 6). Production capacities are listed by

the method used to calculate them (e.g., theFlow Index, the Density Index, and Profes-sional Judgement for coldwater species, andAverage Production and Professional Judge-ment for warm/coolwater species).

In analyzing these statewide productioncapacity tables, one has to remember that thisinformation represents the combination of fishspecies and ages that is being reared in each ofthe facilities in the system to meet currentmanagement needs. As those needs change,the production scenarios, within limits, willalso change.

For example, if the number of feral (wild) troutdesired for inland stocking continues toincrease, the amount of space available forrearing domestic trout will decrease at twicethat rate. This is due to the fact that the feraltrout require about twice as much rearing space(have to be raised at about half the density) asdomestic trout. In the same vein, if the demandfor musky stocking goes up, the space availablefor rearing walleye goes down, and so on.

Information for each WDNR fish propagationfacility is presented alphabetically in Appendix1. These summaries include information on thefacility history, fish production, physical plant,budget, operational complexity, staffing, andproduction limitations of the facility. It shouldbe noted that most of the past fish productionsummaries for the warm/coolwater facilitieshave a more current basis (1987-96) than dothose for the coldwater facilities (1984-90).That is because the computer programs tocompile those data have recently been com-pleted for the warm/coolwater program, butare still in development for the coldwaterprogram.

Because the Department’s warm/coolwaterfish propagation program is still facilitylimited, an estimate of species-specific produc-tion in numbers and pounds per acre isprovided for each warm/coolwater facility,where feasible. This provides a means tocalculate production potential if, for example,“all the ponds at Thompson are put intowalleye production”.

6

TABLE 3. Production capacity estimates (numbers and pounds) of all coldwater fish species propagated atWDNRs’ hatchery facilities using established indices and professional experience. Optimum SustainedProduction is the optimum number and pounds of high quality fish that can be produced on a consistentbasis. Maximum Sustained Production is the number and pounds of reasonably healthy fish that can beproduced on a consistent basis. The Flow Index is limited by the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water.Density Index is limited by the spatial relationship of one fish to another. Total production is the combina-tion of fish transferred out of a facility and/or stocked.

Optimum Sustained Production Maximum Sustained ProductionFish Transfers1/ Flow Density Professional Water Quality ProfessionalSpecies Stocked. Life Stage Index Index Judgement Discharge Judgement

DOMESTIC Transfers No. 4,674,240 4,028,505 4,089,450 6,075,000TROUT lbs. 30,671 29,299 22,625 25,903

Stocked Spring Fgl 207,455 366,090 179,200 198,640lbs. 4,147 7,321 3,584 3,972

Fall Fgl 1,118,265 2,114,110 1,079,385 1,250,266lbs. 11,647 211,411 107,938 125,026

Yearling 1,224,960 4,387,635 1,230,342 1,432,569lbs. 244,992 877,527 247,067 287,413

Adult 10,200 8,200 10,200 11,000lbs. 20,135 16,135 20,135 22,285

Total Production No. 7,235,120 10,904,540 6,588,577 7,541,597lbs. 411,592 1,141,693 401,349 464,599

WILD TROUT Transfers No. 600,000 143,100 543,100 760,000lbs. 162 954 1,062 1,228

Stocked Spring Fgl 125,030 144,375 223,400 280,750lbs. 833 963 1,490 1,871

Fall Fgl 185,400 227,700 266,550 331,500lbs. 2,472 3,036 3,554 4,420

Yearling 435,770 738,465 461,235 537,600lbs. 36,314 63,849 38,436 44,799

Total Production No. 1,353,200 1,260,640 1,501,285 1,916,850lbs. 41,509 70,530 46,270 54,046

STEELHEAD Transfers No. ------ ------ ------ ------(rainbow)

Stocked Fall Fgl 100,000 100,000 120,000lbs. 400 400 480

Yearling 373,900 764,000 530,000 620,000lbs. 24,923 50,933 35,333 41,333

Total Production No. 373,900 864,000 630,000 740,000lbs. 24,923 51,333 35,733 41,813

LAKE TROUT Transfers No. 40,000 20,000 20,000lbs. 667 333 333

Stocked Fall Fgl 40,000 90,000 70,000lbs. 667 500 1,167

Yearling 105,000 90,000 120,000lbs. 7,000 6,000 8,000

Total Production No. 185,000 200,000 740,000lbs. 8,334 6,833 41,813

(continued)

7

8

TABLE 3. Production capacity of all coldwater fish species (continued)

Optimum Sustained Production Maximum Sustained ProductionFish Transfers1/ Flow Density Professional Water Quality ProfessionalSpecies Stocked. Life Stage Index Index Judgement Discharge Judgement

SPLAKE Stocked Yearling 170,500 164,00 180,000lbs. 17,050 16,400 18,000

Total Production No. 170,500 164,00 180,000lbs. 17,050 16,400 18,000

COHO Transfers No. 140,340 524,200 325,000 396,000SALMON lbs. 2,914 20,092 10,132 12,853

Stocked Fall Fgl 81,020 100,000 100,000 130,000lbs. 4,051 5,000 5,000 6,500

Yearling 409,020 1,882,385 714,550 852,000lbs. 22,242 103,288 43,470 51,800

Total Production No. 630,380 2,506,585 1,139,550 1,378,000lbs. 29,207 128,380 58,602 71,153

CHINOOK Transfers No. 2,000,000 1,900,000 2,100,000SALMON lbs. 3,686 4,107 4,274

Stocked Spring Fgl 1,023,085 1,599,155 1,456,415 2,045,000lbs. 12,036 18,343 17,193 24,058

Total Production No. 3,023,085 1,559,155 3,356,415 4,145,000lbs. 15,722 18,343 21,300 28,332

TOTAL COLD Transfers No. 7,414,580 4,735,805 6,877,550 7,925,122WATER lbs. 37,433 51,012 38,259 44,591

Stocked Spring Fgl 1,355,570 2,069,620 1,859,015 2,524,390lbs. 17,016 26,627 22,267 29,901

Fall Fgl 1,384,685 2,581,810 1,635,935 1,901,766lbs. 118,170 220,514 117,392 137,593

Yearling 2,443,650 8,047,985 3,190,127 3,742,169lbs. 328,471 1,119,647 386,706 451,345

Adult 10,200 8,200 10,200 11,000lbs. 20,135 16,135 20,135 22,285

Total Production No. 12,385,165 16,390,640 13,099,827 15,591,447lbs. 520,241 1,423,195 580,781 681,325

VII. DISCUSSIONClarifying the terms Optimum SustainedProduction (The optimum number and poundsof high quality fish that can be produced on aconsistent basis) and Maximum SustainedProduction (The maximum number andpounds of reasonably healthy fish that can beproduced on a consistent basis) is important inunderstanding the true meaning of the informa-tion presented in this report. These definitions

specifically address the fact that, unlike manycommercial hatcheries where fish produceddirectly for human food or for stocking ascatchable fish in private ponds for immediateharvest, almost all of the fish that the Depart-ment stocks have to be able to survive in thewild for a period of time, sometime years, tofulfill the management goals that prompted thestocking.

TABLE 4. Production capacity estimates (numbers and pounds) of all warmwater/coolwater fish speciespropagated at Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ hatchery facilities using average productionfigures and professional judgement. Optimum Sustained Production is the optimum number and poundsof high quality fish that can be produced on a consistent basis. Maximum Sustained Production is thenumber and pounds of reasonably healthy fish that can be produced on a consistent basis. Total produc-tion capacity is the combination of fish transferred out of a facility and/or stocked.

Optimum Sustained Production Maximum Sustained ProductionFish Transfers/ Average Professional Discharge ProfessionalSpecies Stocked Life Stage Production Judgement Water Quality Judgement

MUSKELLUNGE Transfers Eggs 1,347,500 2,664,000(and Hybrids) Small fgl. 74,037 136,520

lbs. 162 175

Trans/Stock Fry 2,297,038 4,205,700lbs. 106 195

Stocked Small Fgl 10,085 28,075lbs. 101 181

Large Fgl 101,595 136,740lbs. 20,319 27,344

Yearling 200 10,250lbs. 133 6,834

Total Production No. 2,482,955 4,517,285lbs. 20,821 34,729

NORTHERN Transfers Eggs 14,498,000 34,845,000PIKE Small Fgl 10,400 35,000

lbs. 29 100

Trans/Stock Fry 9,155,860 26,529,300lbs. 409 1,184


Large Fgl 27,900 70,700lbs. 2,790 7,070

Total Production No. 9,236,180 26,695,0003,828 9,210

LAKE STURGEON Transfers Eggs 350,000 500,000

Trans/Stock Fry 300,000 400,000lbs. 19 25


Large Fgl. 15,000 50,000lbs. 375 1,250

Total Production No. 320,000 460,000lbs. 437 1,362

These definitions also provide a narrowerinterpretation than that of the legislative auditreport which stated “Nevertheless, reasonableestimates of capacity may be based on thelargest number of fish stocked in a single year.”This statement ignores several factors that

impact Department production of fish forstocking in any given year:

• The “demand” for fish to be stocked. The audit report ignored the fact that thenumber of fish requested for stocking

9

TABLE 4. Production capacity estimates of all warmwater/coolwater fish species (continued).

Optimum Sustained Production Maximum Sustained ProductionFish Transfers/ Average Professional Discharge ProfessionalSpecies Stocked Life Stage Production Judgement Water Quality Judgement

WALLEYE Transfers Eggs 41,850,000 51,250,000Small fgl. 210,450 240,000

lbs. 247 282

Trans/Stock Fry 44,861,000 56,235,000lbs. 701 879

Stocked Small Fgl 4,007,000 6,227,500lbs. 4,713 7,326

X-Large Fgl 63,700 55,5000lbs. 2,548 2,220


LARGEMOUTH Transfers Small Fgl 17,000 30,000SMALLMOUTH lbs. 26 46BASS

Trans/Stock ------- -------

Stocked Small Fgl 732,355 1,060,000lbs. 1,127 1,630

X-Large Fgl 9,075 16,845lbs. 363 674

Total Production No. 758,430 1,106,8451,516 2,350

SUCKERS Transfers Eggs 110,062,300 122,075,000MINNOWS

Production Sucker fry 91,143,000 112,150,000lbs. 2,279 2,804

Minnows 1,557,600 2,136,000lbs. 6,490 8,900


TOTAL WARM/ Transfers Eggs 168,107,800 211,334,000COOL WATER Small Fgl 311,887 441,520

lbs. 464 603

Trans/Stock Fry 56,613,898 87,370,000lbs. 1,235 2,283

Stocked Small Fgl 4,796,470 7,385,575lbs. 6,584 10,080

Large Fgl 144,495 257,440lbs. 23,484 35,664

X-large Fgl 72,775 72,345lbs. 2,911 2,894

Yearling 200 10,250lbs. 133 6,834


10

Optimum Sustained Production Maximum Sustained ProductionSpecies Flow Density Professional Discharge Professional

Facility Group Index Index Judgement Water Quatlity Judgement

Bayfield Cold 1,642,695 1,452,285 1,895,000Brule Cold 764,835 1,735,025 578,410 672,500Besadny Cold 61,785 62,305 125,000Kettle Moraine Cold 373,900 684,000 450,000 520,000Lake Mills Cold 251,845 445,000 445,000 445,000 513,000Lakewood Cold 140,000 675,100 145,000 293,000Langlade Cold 226,800 245,000 256,000Nevin (total) Cold 754,445 4,180,595 803,000 849,250Osceola Cold 1,037,520 1,052,655 1,045,087 1,173,497St. Croix Falls Cold 3,252,520 3,238,025 2,629,080 2,930,000Thunder River Cold 584,800 2,291,370 544,000 636,700Westfield Cold 280,085 1,505,955 620,000 730,000Wild Rose Cold 4,829,000 4,442,000 5,362,500

TABLE 5. Coldwater production capacity estimates at each WDNR hatchery facilitiy generated by usingestablished indices and professional experience. Optimum Sustained Production is the optimum numberof high quality fish that can be produced on a consistent basis. Maximum Sustained Production is thenumber of reasonably healthy fish that can be produced on a consistent basis. Flow Index is limited by theamount of dissolved oxygen in the water. Density Index is limited by the spatial relationship of one fish toanother.

varies from year to year, sometimessignificantly. There is no attempt in thatreport to correlate stocking requests tothe number of fish produced, other thanfor 1997.

• The production of warm/coolwater fishin outdoor ponds at hatcheries andrearing stations (both the Department’sand others) tends to be heavilyinfluenced in any given year by theprevailing weather conditions.Therefore, the long-term averageproduction is a much more accuratemeans of determining the productioncapacity of those types of facilities.

Ironically, in those years whereproduction is exceptionally good in theDepartment’s rearing ponds, it alsotends to be very good in “nature’shatchery”, reducing the biological needfor supplemental stocking in thosewaters that have some naturalreproduction of the species beingstocked.

• Different species, strains, and sizes offish can have different requirementsfor the rearing space required. “Wild”trout require about twice as muchrearing space per fish produced as do“domestic” trout, so rearing them

Optimum Sustained Production Maximum Sustained ProductionSpecies Average Professional Discharge Professional

Facility Group Production Judgement Water Quatlity Judgement

Kettle Moraine Warm 5,028,000 9,042,500Lake Mills Warm 6,550,000 6,555,000 11,057,700Oehmcke (total) Warm 19,764,765 27,931,315South Central Warm 568,700 937,500Southeastern Warm 82,500 82,500Thompson Warm 94,805,170 119,540,500West Central Warm 1,362,340 2,044,865Wild Rose Warm 24,448,200 36,286,250

TABLE 6. Warm/Coolwater production capacity estimates at each WDNR hatchery facilitiy generated byusing average production and professional experience. Optimum Sustained Production is the optimumnumber of high quality fish that can be produced on a consistent basis. Maximum Sustained Production isthe number of reasonably healthy fish that can be produced on a consistent basis.

11

12

effectively reduces the productioncapacity of the space utilized by half.On the other hand, the Department’sfisheries biologists have exhibited anincreasing interest in stocking “wild”trout because of potentially greatersurvivorship, and the Department’sfish propagation program’s function isto meet those types of needs. Privatehatcheries whose driving force isprofit margin tend to choose species thatwill maximize the production capacityof their available space, or charge apremium for those species that have tobe reared at lower densities.

• Like any production facility, fishpropagation facilities require rawmaterials, adequate operational funding,and adequate trained staff. If the lattertwo basic resources are not availablebecause budget cuts, hiring freezes, etc.,it is difficult to operate the facilities atfull capacity. No comparison of fishproduction to available funding/staffwas made in the audit report, except for1995-96.

The auditors believed that the recommendationto identify production capacity was importantbecause of the contention that the Departmenthas developed and improved fish propagationrearing capacity without regard to actual need.

Contrary to the audit report’s conclusions, theDepartment has targeted levels of increases infish production needed to meet managementrequirements to determine the needs forhatchery development and renovation. Forexample, when the push came to increasewalleye stocking in response to public pressureresulting from the exercising of treaty fishingrights by Wisconsin Native Americans, anevaluation of the stocking level required toprovide an acceptable walleye adult popula-tion in all waters being stocked was conducted.The resulting answer required annual stockingof 2 million additional fingerlings.

Even before that point, the Department’shatchery system had a documented history ofnot being able to produce adequate numbers offish to meet all stocking requests, especially inthe warm/coolwater species. Part of this wasbecause the stocking focus had changed from

large numbers of fry (just-hatched fish whichonly require enough building space and watersupply for egg incubation), to smaller numbersof fingerling (with higher survival levels in thewild) which require rearing ponds and feeding.The rest of it was due to changes in policy thatbroadened the number of waters in the statewhere certain species were “allowed” to bestocked.

Because major facility development in Wiscon-sin, including hatcheries, has traditionallybeen funded with “general purpose revenues”(tax dollars), any significant improvements tothe hatchery system have always been in directcompetition with other building programs suchas the University system, state office buildings,prisons, etc. As a result, in recent years, it hasrequired a specific political interest to obtainfunding for major hatchery development orrenovation. Examples include the renovationof the Bayfield Hatchery in 1974-75 based onFederal funding solicited by the local U.S.Senator; the 1979 purchase and subsequentdevelopment of the Kettle Moraine SpringsHatchery based on demands by the LakeMichigan sport fishing community; and therecent renovation of Lake Mills, Woodruff(Oehmcke), and Spooner (Thompson) hatch-eries and the Winding Creek Rearing Stationbased on public concerns about walleyestocking in the area of Wisconsin open to tribalharvest.

While most of these major developments havehad an immediately identified need to fulfill,others have required substantial changes inmanagement policy to fully utilize the potentialproduction. In the case of the walleye program,the production capacity was available 1-2 yearsbefore the revised policy was in place.

Another factor that influenced utilization ofproduction capacity during the audited periodwas the decision in the 1995-97 biennium toreduce inland trout stocking by 25% and save$150,000 per year. This was due to tightbudgets in that biennium, and resulted in354,900 trout being cut from stocking quotas in1995-96, 379,850 in 1996-97 and 208,550 in1997-98. These reductions obviously resultedin unused production capacity at most of theDepartment’s coldwater facilities, however theaudit report contends that budget cuts were nota causative factor.

13

As mentioned previously, production capacityat any Department fish propagation facility canand will be as limited by the operationsfunding and staffing available, up to a point, asthe amount of space there is to rear fish in.Therefore, the production levels listed in thisreport are only achievable if adequate fundingis provided for:

• facility maintenance (or renovation asnecessary),

• the increased operating expenses thatnaturally come with increasedproduction, and

• adequate staffing by trained personnelto ensure that the fish produced meetmanagement needs.

14

APPENDIX

Summaries of the WDNRs’ Hatchery and RearingFacilities

BayfieldBrule

CD Besadny

Oehmcke

Kettle MoraineSprings

Lake Mills

Nevin

Wild Rose

Lakewood

LangladeOsceola

ThunderRiver

Thompson

St. Croix Falls

Westfield

15

APPENDIX

Summaries of the WDNRs’ Hatchery and RearingFacilities

BayfieldBrule

CD Besadny

Oehmcke

Kettle MoraineSprings

Lake Mills

Nevin

Wild Rose

Lakewood

LangladeOsceola

ThunderRiver

Thompson

St. Croix Falls

Westfield

Bayfield Hatchery is located on Hwy. 13 be-tween Bayfield and Washburn, in BayfieldCounty. This station was established in 1895,as the third Wisconsin state fish hatchery, butwas completely rebuilt in 1974-5. The result-ing new building with 34 modern rearing tanksand an exhibit area makes Bayfield our mostmodern coldwater hatchery. Bayfield is uniquein that all of the rearing facilities are currentlylocated indoors, in four buildings. This pre-vents losses due to predators and weather.

The primary water supply system has recentlybeen upgraded with a 6,000 gpm gravity-flowpipe from Lake Superior, which is then pumpedinto the main hatchery building for distribu-tion to all of the rearing units on the grounds.Additional water is supplied by two 400 footdeep wells at more than 1,000 gpm, the previ-ous primary water supply. One well is held inreserve when the other is pumped. There isalso a 200 gpm well that supplies additionalwater to the old hatchery building.

FISH PRODUCTIONThis hatchery is our principal lake trout pro-duction facility, with nearly all going to LakeSuperior. The facility also raises other troutand salmon, including splake, wild brooktrout, wild brown trout, steelhead (wild rain-bow trout) and both chinook and coho salmon,in recent years. Approximately 65% of all pro-duction goes to the Great Lakes, 5% to inlandwaters, and 30% to other production facilitiesfor further rearing. This facility has spawnedwild broodstock (lake trout, steelhead, salmon)as part of the production program, but currentlyobtains the majority of the eggs incubated fromother sources. A captive feral brown troutbroodstock is being developed here.

From 1984 through 1990, yearly fish produc-tion for direct stocking from this facility aver-aged as follows:

Number PoundsFingerlings 328,306 12,901Yearlings 223,907 21,161Adults 3,101 5,583Totals 583,224 39,645

Due to the new water supply, the Optimum Sus-tained Production Capacity is 1,452,285 fishweighing a total of 54,780 pounds. The Maxi-

mum Sustained Production Capacity is1,895,000 fish weighing a total of 66,850pounds.

FACILITIESThe Bayfield Hatchery has 10 buildings, in-cluding 2 residences, with an overall replace-ment value of $5,429,735.

Prior to the development of the new water sup-ply line, maintenance of the two wells provid-ing the primary water supply were the recur-ring major maintenance expenditures at thisfacility.

Six-Year Facilities PlanAddition to Residence (Beyond 2003) $30,000

BAYFIELD HATCHERY EXPENDITURES - FY 1995-96Permanent Salaries $123,822 Fringe 52,005Limited Term Employees 0 Fringe 0Supplies and Services 126,248Capital and Equipment 245Total Expenditures $302,320

SUPERVISORY COMPLEXITYThe supervisor at this facility is also respon-sible for direct supervision of the Brule Hatch-ery, with overall administrative responsibilityfor seven permanent employees. Supervisinga facility with a pumped water supply requiresround-the-clock responsibilities for mainte-nance of equipment and associated alarm sys-tems. A sewage treatment plant is part of thephysical plant and requires daily monitoringand operation by a certified operator, addingto supervisory responsibilities. Overall, thisfacility exacts a demanding workload, requir-ing that the supervisor have expertise in waterquality, public relations, land management anddevelopment, facilities and equipment mainte-nance, scientific methodology,, salmonidbroodstock management, coldwater fish cul-ture techniques, state and federal regulatoryprocedures and requirements, personnel man-agement and fish distribution technology. Twohatchery staff live on the hatchery grounds.

STAFFINGThe current staffing allocation to Bayfield is

BAYFIELDHATCHERYPO Box 589, 141 S.Third St.Bayfield, WI 54814(715) 779-4022

16

5.75 permanent FTE. The last workload analy-sis identified a need for 6.4 FTE, however thatevaluation was made prior to the assignmentof supervision of the Brule Hatchery to theBayfield Hatchery Supervisor. In addition,Bayfield’s production capacity has increased(130% in numbers, 35% in pounds) as a resultof the new primary water supply system. Arequest has been made to add one permanentFTE to the existing staff to handle the addi-

tional workload. The work force also includes1-2 limited term employees during peak pro-duction periods.

PRODUCTION LIMITATIONSBecause of the high volume water supply nowavailable (6,000+ gallons per minute), the FlowIndex is not applicable at Bayfield. The factorcurrently restricting production at this facilityis rearing space.

The Brule Hatchery is located south of thevillage of Brule, off Hwy. 27, in DouglasCounty. This facility was established in 1927as a fish rearing station, but egg incubationand hatching have been done here in the pastseveral years, as the need arose. Several newrearing ponds were constructed in 1968,making Brule our largest coldwater rearingstation. The rearing facilities are outdoors,and are a combination of concrete racewaysand riprapped ponds. Almost all of thewater from the Little Brule River, about 2,400gpm, is currently utilized and there is littleopportunity for expansion.The facility lies inthe watershed of the Bois Brule (River), anoutstanding resource water, which affectsboth future expansion and current opera-tions.

FISH PRODUCTIONBrule rears domestic brook trout, and wildand domestic brown and rainbow trout.From 1984 through 1990, fish production fordirect stocking from this facility averaged asfollows:

Number PoundsFingerlings 96,787 10,122Yearlings 205,279 32,733Adults 893 1,404Totals 302,959 44,259

Optimum Sustained Production Capacity:578,410 fish weighing a total of 70,090pounds. Maximum Sustained ProductionCapacity: 672,500 fish weighing a total of80,360 pounds.

FACILITIESThe Brule Hatchery has 6 buildings, includ-ing 2 residences, with an overall replacement

value of $215,851. In the future, replacementof the main hatchery building will be neces-sary.

Six-Year Facilities PlanRepair Hatchery/Garage (1999-2001)$15,000; Hatchery Building Feasability (2003and beyond) $80,000; and new hatchery andoffice building (2003 and beyond) $400,000

BRULE HATCHERY EXPENDITURES - FY 1995-96Permanent Salaries $44,130 Fringe $18,535Limited Term Employees $3,635 Fringe $436Supplies and Services $38,359Capital and Equipment 0Total Expenditures $105,096

SUPERVISORY COMPLEXITYThis facility is directly supervised by theBayfield Hatchery Supervisor, with a Hatch-ery Foreman overseeing the day-to-dayoperations. Because of the nature of theeffluent-receiving stream, the Foreman at thisfacility must be well versed in environmentalregulations and water quality managementin addition to public relations, facilities andequipment maintenance, coldwater fishculture techniques, personnel managementand fish distribution technology. Because ofthe remote location, a technician lives on thesite.

STAFFINGThe current staffing at Brule is two perma-nent FTE, with supervision provided by theBayfield Hatchery Supervisor. The lastworkload analysis identified a need for 3.6FTE, however that was before supervisory

BRULEHATCHERY13847 E. Hatchery Rd.Brule, WI 54820(715) 372-4820

17

responsibilities were transferred to Bayfield.This facility also has one limited termemployee during peak production periods.

PRODUCTION LIMITATIONSThe amount and quality of the water supplyare the primary factors limiting production atthis facility. Because of the long-term rearingrecord, professional judgement is the mostreasonable means of determining capacity.

The C.D. Besadny Anadromous Fish Facilityis an integral part of the Lake Michigan fishpropagation program which includes eggtaking and fish rearing facilities in SturgeonBay (Door County), Kewaunee (KewauneeCounty), Manitowoc (Manitowoc County),and on the Root River in Racine.

The Besadny Facility is located in KewauneeCounty on the Kewaunee River, with initialdevelopment starting in the late 1980’s. Amajor addition was recently completed at thissite, including a new building, and anadditional holding pond, for a total of fiveholding ponds. This is one of the twoprimary sources for Lake Michigan cohosalmon and steelhead eggs, and a backupsource for chinook salmon and lake-runbrown trout eggs. This facility collects fishfor spawning and management surveysduring Spring, Summer and Fall runs.The water supply for the Besadny Facilitycomes from two wells and water divertedfrom the Kewaunee River.

Besides its important propagation andassessment functions, the facility wasdeveloped as a public showcase for fisheriesand other important department functions inthe Kewaunee River watershed. With a fishladder and viewing window, the BesadnyFacility is a local attraction to thousands ofvisitors during the fish spawning runs.

FISH PRODUCTIONOne of Wisconsin’s original salmon releasefacilities, a pond in the DNR’s KewauneeRiver Recreation Area, has been renovated toraise trout or salmon. In addition, there is apond in Manitowoc County, in theManitowoc Zoo, that is used each Spring tohold salmon for rearing and imprinting prior

to release to the Lake Michigan system.Management of all of these facilities is theresponsibility of the Besadny Station Techni-cian. This facility has only been in operationfor a few years, so long-term productionrecords aren’t available. For 1994-96, thefollowing annual average stocking occurred:

Number PoundsChinook fingerlings 190,765 2,500Coho fingerlings 24,735 1,230Coho yearlings 35,995 4,115Totals 251,495 7,845

Optimum Sustained Production Capacity:119,935 fish weighing a total of 2,910pounds. Maximum Sustained ProductionCapacity: 280,000 fish weighing a total of6,310 pounds.

FACILITIESThis facility consists of a dam on theKewaunee River (which doubles as a lam-prey barrier), a fish ladder, five holdingponds, two outlying rearing ponds, the mainoperations building, and a residence andgarage. No estimate of current replacementvalue is available.

Six-Year Facilities PlanNo projects pending.

C.D. BESADNY ANADROMOUS FISH FACILITYEXPENDITURESThe budget for the operation of these facilitiesis mixed with other Lake Michigan fisheriesoperations, so separate expenditures cannotbe readily derived.

STAFFINGThe current permanent staffing is 1 FTE. Thisposition oversees the LTE’s and cooperatorswho work on the rearing ponds, maintainsthe facilities, and assists in the spawningand survey operations at Besadny. Thisfacility did not exist during the last workloadanalysis.

PRODUCTION LIMITATIONSThe Density Index has no application atthese facilities since they are fairly largerearing ponds with limited water supply.

C.D. BESADNYANADRAMOUSFISH FACILITYN 3884 Ransom MooreLaneKewaunee, WI 54216(414) 388-2105

18

KETTLEMORAINESPRINGSHATCHERYN1929 Trout SpringRoadAdell, WI 53001(920) 528-8825

Kettle Moraine Springs Hatchery is locatedadjacent to the Kettle Moraine State Forestnear the village of Batavia in SheboyganCounty. This station was a private hatcherythat became a state facility in 1979, when itwas purchased through special legislation to“provide a hatchery within 40 miles of LakeMichigan in southern Wisconsin capable ofproducing greater than 40,000 pounds oftrout and salmon for Lake Michigan”. Sincethen, water supplies have been renovated,new raceways constructed, a new hatcherybuilding and residence constructed and anew cold storage facility provided.

The water supply consists two pumped highcapacity wells equipped with ferric ironremoval filters, with aeration to strip hydro-gen sulfide, and six high capacity gravityflow ground water collection wells.

The hatchery has three hatching buildingswith 49 rearing tanks and a boiler for heatingrearing water. In addition, there are 44 race-ways and 5 holding tanks, outside. The latterare used for holding feral brood stock as partof the steelhead program. The hatchery alsohas two 1/3 acre coolwater rearing pondsand an additional 2-acre coolwater fishrearing pond that are used to raise walleye orbass as needed for local stocking. The facilityhas an intensive sanitary system for fishwaste water handling and on-site disposal ofsludge for agricultural fertilizer on landsmanaged for sharecropping purposes.

This the only DNR hatchery in metropolitansoutheastern Wisconsin.

FISH PRODUCTIONKettle Moraine Springs Hatchery specializesin rearing specific strains of rainbow trout(steelhead) from captured feral Lake Michi-gan broodstock. This involves producingfish in 5 distinct lots (species/age) annually,maintaining 2 to 3 wild broodstock lots andalso spawning wild steelhead captured inthe Kewaunee River and Root River spawn-ing facilities. This hatchery currentlyspawns and initially incubates all of the cohosalmon eggs for Lake Michigan stocking.This the primary steelhead hatchery for LakeMichigan.

From 1984 through 1990, salmonid produc-tion at this facility averaged as follows:

ColdwaterNumber Pounds

Fingerlings 282,944 16,048Yearlings 338,772 26,673Totals 621,716 42,721

The coldwater Optimum Sustained Produc-tion Capacity is 450,000 fish weighing a totalof 30,000 pounds. The coldwater MaximumSustained Production Capacity is 520,000fish weighing a total of 34,670 pounds.

The eggs for walleye strains unique to south-eastern Wisconsin have been incubated here,with both fry and fingerling being stocked asa result. Some largemouth bass have alsobeen produced. The annual productionrecord for coolwater species from 1987-96averages as follows:

CoolwaterNumber Pounds

Fry 1,100,000 17Fingerlings 8,228 342Totals 1,108,228 359

The warm/coolwater Optimum SustainedProduction Capacity is 5,028,000 fish weigh-ing a total of 420 pounds. The warm/coolwater Maximum Sustained ProductionCapacity is 9,042,500 fish weighing a total of675 pounds.

The rearing ponds at Kettle Moraine Springsare suited to rearing a variety of warm/coolwater species, so the amount of acreageused for any one species depends on produc-tion needs for that rearing cycle. The follow-ing per acre production capacities could beused to calculate different species mixes:

Optimum MaximumWalleye No. Lbs. No. Lbs.Small Fgl 10,000 12 15,000 18X-Large Fgl 2,500 100 3,250 130

Optimum MaximumLgmouth bass No. Lbs. No. Lbs.X-Large Fgl. 6,000 240 10,000 400

19

20

FACILITIESKettle Moraine Springs Hatchery has 13buildings, including a residence, with anoverall replacement value of $864,567. Re-cent developments have focused on improv-ing facilities for holding steelheadbroodstock.

Six-Year Facilities PlanAquatic Displays (Beyond 2003) $15,000

KETTLE MORAINE SPRINGS HATCHERY EXPENDITURES -FY 1995-96Operating costs for this facility are coveredthrough the Great Lakes Trout and SalmonStamp revenue, and special projects funding.

Permanent Salaries $114,215Fringe $47,970

Limited Term Employees $20,303Fringe $2,436

Supplies and Services $125,693Capital and Equipment $0Total Expenditures $310,607

SUPERVISORY COMPLEXITYBecause of the threat of disease posed byhandling feral broodstocks, the HatcherySupervisor must have expertise in diseaseprevention procedures. In addition, theymust have expertise in water quality, publicrelations, land management and develop-ment, facilities and equipment maintenance,scientific methodology, salmonid broodstockmanagement, cold and coolwater fish culturetechniques, state and federal regulatoryprocedures and requirements, personnelmanagement and fish distribution technol-ogy. Since the facility has a complex watersupply system, the supervisor has enhanced

responsibility for water supply security.The supervisor is responsible for coordi-nating operations of the Kenosha smolt re-lease pond, cooperating closely with thecooperators operating the pond. The supervi-sor also provides logistical support for feralbroodstock spawning for steelhead and cohosalmon at the C.D. Besadny AnadromousFish Facility and the Root River SteelheadFacility. The supervisor is often in contactwith media personnel and organized anglinggroups as well as those who independentlyvisit these facilities. Since broodstock and thewater supply require immediate attention inemergencies, the Hatchery Supervisor mustlive on the site.

STAFFINGThis facility is currently staffed with fourpermanent FTE with one vacancy. The mostrecent workload analysis identified a needfor 8.4 FTE, however the Hatchery Supervisorbelieves that current staffing is adequate,with sufficient LTE funding, for the currentlevel of operation and development.

This facility employees 2-4 limited term per-sonnel 12 months of the year. In addition, themanager uses summer interns and othertraining programs to provide additionalpersonnel as needed.

PRODUCTION LIMITATIONSThe amount and quality of the water supplyare the primary factors limiting coldwaterproduction at this facility. Because of thelong-term rearing record, professional judge-ment is the most reasonable means ofdetermining capacity.

Lake Mills Hatchery is located in the city ofLake Mills in Jefferson County. The 73.6acres land for this hatchery were purchasedby the Federal government for $16,350 in1931 and the original rearing ponds werebuilt by the Work Projects Administration(WPA) in 1931 and 1932. Initially, warm andcoolwater species were hatched and rearedthere, using a gravity-flow water supply fromRock Lake to fill the ponds. Ponds wereadded over the years, bring the total numberto 24 at 30 acres, and in the mid 1960’s, twohigh-capacity wells and six concrete race-ways were constructed for rearing coldwaterspecies. Until 1983, the hatchery was oper-ated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service(USFWS). The DNR operated the hatcheryfrom April, 1983 to November, 1988, under amemorandum of agreement with USFWS, atwhich time the DNR “purchased” the facilityfrom the Federal government. Since 1983, theUniversity of Wisconsin - Madison has main-tained an aquacultural research facility atLake Mills, under a cooperative use agree-ment with the DNR.

After DNR acquired the facility, a renovationplan was developed to improve the rearingponds, water supply system, and buildings.Enough funding was provided to renovatethe water supply system to the rearing ponds,and to improve about 1/4 of the rearing pondacreage (10 ponds), in the first “phase”,which was completed in 1992.

The current water supply are a filtered grav-ity-flow water supply line from Rock Lakewith two separate intakes, which supplieswater to all of the ponds and the hatchingbuilding, and the two high-capacity wellswhich supply water to the raceways and thehatching building.

The rearing units include six inside tanks, sixraceways, and 31 ponds totalling 31 acres.

FISH PRODUCTIONLake Mills has recently produced cohosalmon, largemouth and smallmouth bass,walleye, and Northern pike. From 1984through 1990, coho salmon production atthis facility averaged as follows:

Coldwater Number Pounds

Fingerlings 211,524 11,159Yearlings 247,770 12,482Totals 459,294 23,641

The Optimum Sustained Production Capac-ity is 445,000 coho salmon weighing a total of18,130 pounds. The Maximum SustainedProduction Capacity is 513,000 coho salmonweighing a total of 21,000 pounds.

This facility once held broodstock for large-mouth and smallmouth bass, and hybridpanfish production. More recently, produc-tion has focused on hatching and rearingnorthern pike and walleye from eggsspawned from local wild populations.

The following annual production record ispresented for the pre-renovation period(1988-90) and the post-renovation period(1992-97). The biggest changes occured inthe production of northern pike and walleye:

Pre-Ren. Post-Ren.Coolwater No. Lbs. No. Lbs.Fry 990,000 25 4,034,789 92Fngl. 251,087 591 280,996 618Totals 1,241,087 616 4,315,785 710

The coolwater Optimum Sustained Produc-tion Capacity is 6,550,000 fish weighing atotal of 621 pounds. The coolwater MaximumSustained Production Capacity is 11,057,700fish weighing a total of 1,130 pounds.

The rearing ponds at Lake Mills are suited torearing a variety of coolwater species, so theamount of acreage used for any one speciesdepends on production needs for that rearingcycle. The following per acre productioncapacities could be used to calculate differentspecies mixes:

Opt. Prod. Max. Prod.Northern Pike No. Lbs. No. Lbs.Small Fgl 4,000 60 7,500 110Large Fgl 700 70 800 80

Opt. Prod. Max. Prod.Walleye No. Lbs. No. Lbs.Small Fgl 14,080 17 30,800 36

LAKE MILLSHATCHERY302 S. MainLake Mills, WI 53551(920) 648-8012

21

FACILITIESThe initial renovation project did not com-plete the renovation and upgrade of thisfacility. A “phase II” project was been pre-pared for the 1995-97 biennium that wouldprovide the following:-Renovation of the remaining 20 rearingponds-Upgrading the well water supply system-Renovation of the coldwater rearing facili-ties

Remaining as a final future phase would beconstruction of a new hatching and rearingbuilding.

Six-Year Facilities PlanSecurity Fencing (currently funded) $216,000;Rearing House Siding (1997-99) $4,500;Replace Shop Siding (1997-99) $5,000;Engineering For Phase II (1999-2001)$135,000; Road Renovation (2001-2003)$200,000; New Hatchery Building (beyond2003) $3,591,700; Phase II Ponds (beyond2003) $1,700,000; Heated Shop/Cold Storage(beyond 2003 $141,000

Lake Mills Hatchery has 8 buildings oninventory, including a residence, with anoverall replacement value of $564,627. Thisdoes not include an aeration blower buildingconstructed as part of the recent facilitiesrenovation.

LAKE MILLS EXPENDITURES - FY 1995-96Permanent Salaries $95,378Fringe 40,059

Limited Term Employees 11,622Fringe 1,395

Supplies and Services 68,046Capital and Equipment 0Total Expenditures $216,500

SUPERVISORY COMPLEXITYThe Hatchery Supervisor works closely withthe University of Wisconsin AquacultureProgram personnel which have their mainwet lab facilities here. This involves coordi-nating facility and rearing space use, man-power use and administration of a coopera-

tive use agreement. The recent renovationshave made this facility one of the more com-plex coolwater hatcheries in the state. Waterprocessing systems are an integral part ofthis facility. The supervisor must have exper-tise in water quality, public relations, landmanagement and development, facilities andequipment maintenance, scientific methodol-ogy, centrachid broodstock management,coldwater and coolwater fish culture tech-niques, state and federal regulatory proce-dures and requirements, personnel manage-ment and fish distribution technology. Theproduction program at this facility requiresthat an employee live on the station to assuresecurity of the fish stocks and water supply.

STAFFINGThis facility is currently staffed with fourpermanent FTE. The most recent workloadanalysis identified a need for 4.8 FTE.


22

LAKEWOODREARINGSTATION14865 Hatchery LaneLakewood, WI54138-9610(715) 276-6066

Lakewood Rearing Station is located inOconto County. This station was built in1923 under the WPA program. Lakewoodhas 26 tanks, 7 raceways and 6 ponds inwhich fish are reared. The water supply is aseries of open spring ponds which produceabout 1,500 gallons per minute.

FISH PRODUCTIONDomestic brook and rainbow trout are com-monly raised here. Lakewood produces fishfrom 2 distinct lots (species/age) annually.From 1984 through 1990, fish production atthis facility averaged as follows:

Coldwater Number PoundsFingerlings 80,194 7,617Yearlings 117,846 18,994Totals 198,040 26,611

The Optimum Sustained Production Capac-ity is 145,000 fish weighing a total of 24,000pounds. The Maximum Sustained Produc-tion Capacity is 293,000 fish weighing a totalof 48,500 pounds.

FACILITIESLakewood Rearing Station has 5 buildings,including a residence, with an overall re-placement value of $300,196.

Six-Year Facilities PlanRenovate Rearing Facilities (Beyond 2003)$47,400; Repair John Lake Road (Future)$57,600

LAKEWOOD REARING STATION EXPENDITURES - FY 1995-96Permanent Salaries $44,836Fringe 18,831

Limited Term Employees 4,829Fringe 579


SUPERVISORY COMPLEXITYThis facility is directly supervised by theLanglade Hatchery Supervisor, with the localRearing Station Foreman overseeing the day-

to-day operations. Since direct supervision isnot available at the site and the water supplyis open and vulnerable to climatic conditionsaffecting water quality, the foreman must beknowledgeable of water quality requirements.In addition, the foreman must be versed inpublic relations, land management anddevelopment, facilities and equipmentmaintenance, scientific methodology,coldwater fish culture techniques, personnelmanagement and fish distribution technol-ogy. Because of the remote location, the fore-man must live on the site.

STAFFINGThe current staffing at Lakewood is twopermanent FTE, with supervision providedby the Langlade Hatchery Supervisor. Thelast workload analysis identified a need for1.8 FTE.


23

LANGLADEHATCHERYW1269 Fish HatcheryRoadWhite Lake, WI54491 (715) 882-8757

Langlade Hatchery is located in LangladeCounty. This facility was built in 1939 underthe WPA program. One half of the racewayswere replaced in the 1983-85 biennium, andan additional pond was developed for rear-ing yearling trout. There are currently sixponds used for rearing. There are also sixraceways at this facility that are currentlyunusable.

The water supply for this facility is a diver-sion of about 2,000 gpm from Dalton Creek.This stream is prone to flash floods, andalthough a flood bypass channel has beenconstructed, the hatchery has periodicallybeen flooded.

FISH PRODUCTIONBrown trout are the principal fish rearedhere, however, in the past, the station hasreared brook and rainbow trout, as well.Langlade produces fish from 1 to 2 distinctlots (species/age) annually. From 1984through 1990, fish production at this facilityaveraged as follows:

Coldwater Number PoundsFingerlings 94,058 13,721Yearlings 144,341 27,919Adults 564 2,064Totals 238,963 43,704


FACILITIESLanglade Hatchery has 5 buildings, includ-ing a residence, with an overall replacementvalue of $291,547.

Six-Year Facilities PlanNo projects pending

LANGLADE REARING STATION EXPENDITURES -FY 1995-96Permanent Salaries $23,122Fringe 9,711



SUPERVISOR COMPLEXITYThe Hatchery Supervisor serves a dual role,as both overall supervisor of the localcoldwater propagation work unit (Lakewoodand Thunder River Rearing Stations, andLanglade Hatchery) and as day-to-day super-visor of Langlade. Because of the nature ofthe facilities in the work unit, the supervisormust be well versed in environmental regula-tions and have expertise in water qualitymanagement in addition to public relations,land management and development, facilitiesand equipment maintenance, scientificmethodology, coldwater fish culture tech-niques, personnel management and fishdistribution technology. Langlade Hatcheryhas an open water supply, subject to dra-matic changes in water temperature andquality with changes in flow, requiring thatstaff reside on the site for constant monitor-ing.

STAFFINGThe current staffing at Langlade is two per-manent FTE. The last workload analysisidentified a need for 1.7 FTE. In addition, thisfacility has one limited term employee duringpeak rearing periods.


24

NEVINHATCHERY3911 Fish HatcheryRdFitchburg, WI 53711(608) 275-3246

Nevin Hatchery is located in the city ofFitchburg, Dane County. Nevin was built in1875, and is the state’s oldest conservationproperty. Two outlying rearing stations,Token Creek, in Dane County, and LimaPond, in Jefferson County, are also operatedfrom this facility. Token Creek was devel-oped in 1960, and Lima Pond was convertedfrom a rough fish holding pond in 1976.

The water supply at Nevin currently consistsof several artesian wells and covered springs,providing a total flow of about 1,100 gpm.Two high capacity wells were drilled in 1992,but are not currently in use. The water sup-ply at Token Creek is about 780 gpm, and atLima Pond is about 1,400 gpm, both fromflowing springs.

Many different rearing unit configurationshave been developed and redeveloped overthe past 120 years at Nevin. Currently, theoutside rearing units consist of one concretepond, two sets of linear raceways and adivided earthen pond. The “inside” rearingunits consist of 36 concrete tanks in the mainhatchery building, and a large circular tankin the “spiral building” (the remnants of anexperimental spiral raceway). There is an-other earthen pond on the Nevin grounds,but its currently used for coolwater produc-tion by the Operations Crew and is not con-sidered part of the hatchery rearing facilities.The facilities at Lima and Token Creek aredrainable earthen ponds.

FISH PRODUCTIONDomestic rainbow, brook, and brown troutare the major species hatched and raised atNevin. Recently, the propagation of feralbrook and brown trout has been initiated,with a feral brown trout broodstock beingdeveloped. Lima Pond is used primarily toraise domestic brown trout, while TokenCreek usually produces rainbows. NevinHatchery produces fish in 7 to 8 distinct lots(species/age) annually, and is responsiblefor rearing operations at Token Creek andLima Ponds.

From 1987 through 1991, fish production forstocking and transfers out from these facili-ties averaged as follows:

Nevin Number PoundsFingerlings 343,012 24,211Yearlings 131,553 33,297Totals 474,565 57,508


It should be noted that as the number of feraltrout being reared increases, the productioncapacity will decrease due to the lower Den-sity Index (0.25) that these fish require.

Lima PondYearlings 100,000 20,000


Token CreekYearlings 125,000 25,000


In recent years, production at Nevin hasdeclined due to deteriorating facilities, andLima Pond and Token Creek Rearing Stationshave not been operated due to inadequatestaffing.

NEVIN HATCHERY EXPENDITURES - FY 1995-96Permanent Salaries $56,956Fringe 23,922



25

FACILITIESA major renovation of outside rearing unitswas proposed for Nevin and approved fordevelopment at an estimated cost of $1.6million. Unfortunately, no funding wasprovided and DNR was directed to use segre-gated fund supported borrowing. Monies todo that are not available, so a new renovationproject has been initiated to try to restore theprevious rearing capacity (115,000 pounds/year) in a more cost effective manner than theprevious design.

Six-Year Facilities PlanEngineering/Redesign (1997-99) $100,000;Spray-on Insul. #131 (1997-99) $28,000;Insulate #0118 (1997-99) $12,000; ReplaceSpiral Raceway (1999-2001) $300,000;Sealcoat Pavement (1999-2001) $35,000;Rearing Facility 2nd Level (1999-2001)$21,000; Raceway Renovation (beyond 2003)$1,642,900; Office Remodeling (beyond 2003)$52,500

Nevin Hatchery has 5 buildings with a re-placement value of $310,598. This does notinclude other buildings on the grounds usedby other functions or district administration.

SUPERVISORY COMPLEXITYThe supervisor at this facility is also respon-sible for supervision of cooperatively oper-ated outlying trout rearing ponds, with over-all administrative responsibility for fourpermanent employees. In addition, the su-pervisor has a responsibility of supervisingprison inmates used on the facility at times.Overall, this facility exacts a demandingworkload, requiring that the supervisor haveexpertise in water quality, public relations,land management and development, facilitiesand equipment maintenance, scientific meth-odology, salmonid broodstock management,coldwater fish culture techniques, state and

federal regulatory procedures and require-ments, personnel management and fishdistribution technology. The supervisor hasresponsibility for all permits and reportsassociated with these facilities.

STAFFINGThe current staffing at Nevin is 3.76 perma-nent FTE. The last workload analysis identi-fied a need for 5.5 FTE.

During the DNR reorganization, one FishPropagation FTE was recommended fortransfer to Nevin, but that position was real-located to a Fisheries Management Techni-cian at Dodgeville. The facility has operatedwith 1.76 permanent FTE for the past year,since the retirement of the Hatchery Supervi-sor. Lack of adequate staff has preventedoperation of Lima Pond and Token CreekRearing Stations in the past several years.

The facility also employs as many as threelimited term employees (LTE’s are employedto feed the fish at Lima Pond and TokenCreek, when operating), and 1-2 prisonersfrom the Oak Hill Correctional Facility, at anyone time.


26

ART OEHMCKE(WOODRUFF)HATCHERY8770 Hwy JWoodruff, WI 54568(715) 356-9215

The Art Oehmcke Hatchery is located inOneida County. This station was establishedas the Woodruff Hatchery in 1900. In 1946,pond rearing was started in earnest and in1964, construction began on a 1,200 jarhatchery building. This hatchery underwenta major renovation in 1994-95, consisting ofupgrading the rearing water supply system,new and renovated rearing ponds, and newwastewater treatment facilities. The hatcheryhas 21 ponds totalling approximately 21acres.

The hatchery water supply consists of 1,500gallons per minute from nearby MadelineLake, by way of two intake lines. Water fortemperature control in the main hatcherybuilding can also be pumped from ClearLake, about 2 miles away.

Personnel from the hatchery currently oper-ate the Presque Isle Rearing Station, a 23acre walleye rearing pond, and oversee op-eration of several cooperative rearing ponds.

FISH PRODUCTIONThe hatchery has raised walleye, northernpike, muskellunge, hybrid muskellunge,smallmouth bass and white suckers. Theprimary species are walleye, northern pike,muskellunge, and white suckers. Oehmckeusually rears fish from 4 distinct lots (spe-cies/age) all from feral broodstocks.

The following annual average fish produc-tion is presented for the pre-hatchery renova-tion period (1988-93) and the post-renovationperiod (1994-97), with the biggest changeoccurring in the increased production ofwalleye fingerling:

Pre-Ren. Post-Ren.Oehmcke No. Lbs. No. Lbs.Fry 29,986,165 511 19,479,834 385Fngl 54,051 6,527 316,866 4,359Totals 30,040,216 7,037 19,796,700 4,744

The Optimum Sustained Production Capac-ity is 19,274,765 fish weighing a total of 5,020pounds.

The Maximum Sustained Production Capac-ity is 27,231,315 fish weighing a total of 4,430pounds.

The rearing ponds at Oehmcke are suited torearing a variety of coolwater species, so theamount of acreage used for any one speciesdepends on production needs for that rearingcycle. The following per acre productioncapacities could be used to calculate differentspecies mixes:

Opt. Prod. Max. Prod.Muskellunge No. Lbs. No Lbs.Small Fgl 2,775 30 3,525 35Large Fgl 1,470 295 2,045 410

Opt. Prod. Max. Prod.Walleye No. Lbs. No Lbs.Small Fgl 92,625 110 112,500 130XLarge Fgl 9,000 360 10,000 400

For 1988-97, the annual walleye productionat Presque Isle has averaged:

Presque Isle Number PoundsFingerling 469,077 891

The Optimum Sustained Production Capac-ity is 490,000 fish weighing a total of 576pounds. The Maximum Sustained Produc-tion Capacity is 700,000 fish weighing a totalof 824 pounds.

FACILITIESMajor renovation occurred at this facilityduring 1993-94, totalling $3.25 million. Thisincluded development of new water supplyand treatment systems, seven new rearingponds, renovation of existing rearing ponds,and a new wastewater treatment system.This was intended to increase capacity forwalleye and muskellunge production. Be-cause the project was inadequately funded toaccomplish all of the proposed renovationdevelopment, some additional work remainson the unlined rearing ponds.

Six-Year Facilities PlanResurface Roads/Lots (1997-99) $75,000;Storm Sewer Replacement (1997-99)$28,300; Windows for Shop (1997-99) $4,500;Insulate Shop Ceiling (1997-99) $2,000; In-stall Vinyl Siding (2001-2003) $52,000;Insulate Hatchery Building (2001-2003)$5,000; Remodel Storage Building (beyond2003) $12,000

27

The Oehmcke Hatchery has 15 buildingswith a replacement value of $1,228,288.

OEHMCKE HATCHERY EXPENDITURES - FY 1995-96Permanent Salaries $165,155Fringe 69,365


Supplies and Services 113,130Capital and Equipment 48,823Total Expenditures $428,377

SUPERVISORY COMPLEXITYFrom mid-April through the end of May, theHatchery Supervisor is responsible for acomplex system of obtaining eggs from feralbrood stocks in area lakes. This requires thatpersonnel work in shifts round-the-clock, 7days a week, spawning fish and incubatingeggs. The supervisor must provide real-timesupervision to both intensive and extensivehatchery operations and numerous off-sta-tion crews. Operating a large coolwaterhatchery as well as extensive rearing pondsboth off-station and on-station exacts a de-manding workload, requiring that the super-visor have expertise in water quality, publicrelations, land management and develop-ment, facilities and equipment maintenance,scientific methodology, coolwater fish culture

techniques, state and federal regulatoryprocedures and requirements, personnelmanagement, and fish distribution technol-ogy.

STAFFINGThe current staffing at Oehmcke is 8.25 per-manent FTE including 0.5 and 0.75 seasonalpositions. There is a 0.5 vacancy. The lastworkload analysis identified a minimalstaffing requirement for 7.2 FTE, however thatwas done prior to the hatchery renovationwhich has changed the production program.In addition, at least 6 LTEs are used duringpeak rearing periods at the Oehmcke Hatch-ery.

PRODUCTION LIMITATIONSAs a relatively new facility, the crew is still inthe “learning curve” phase of developing aconsistent production program at OehmckeHatchery.

The Osceola Hatchery is located north ofOsceola on Highway 35, in Polk County.Trout were reared at this site in private hatch-eries since the late 1800’s. This station be-came a state facility in 1925, and the currentfacility was constructed by the WPA in the1930’s. There are over a mile of outdoorraceways, 52 indoor metal tanks and 6incubation tanks used to rear fish.

The water supply is 1,850 gallons per minutefrom springs and artesian wells.

FISH PRODUCTIONDomestic rainbow trout are the only speciesraised currently, and this is our domesticrainbow broodstock station. This facility

annually produces 125,000 sac fry and 250-400,000 eyed eggs for transfer to other DNRhatcheries and rearing stations. OsceolaHatchery produces 1 distinct lot of fish eachyear and is responsible for maintaining 4distinct lots of domesticated brood stock.

From 1984 through 1990, fish production fordirect stocking from this facility averaged asfollows:

Coldwater Number PoundsFingerlings 29,143 1,453Yearlings 118,110 27,504Adults 2,812 7,076Totals 150,065 36,033

OSCEOLAHATCHERY2517 90th Ave.Osceola, WI 54020-4204(715) 294-2525

28

Transfers of Spring fingerlings to other DNRhatcheries and rearing stations add 130,000fingerlings (4,000 pounds) to this total.

The Optimum Sustained Production Capac-ity is 1,045,085 fish weighing a total of 43,215pounds, including transfers. The MaximumSustained Production Capacity is 1,173,500fish weighing a total of 46,990 pounds, in-cluding transfers.

FACILITIESThe Osceola Hatchery has 7 buildings, in-cluding a residence, with a replacementvalue of $314,013. Some expenditures in thefuture will be necessary to maintain build-ings and water supplies to meet standards.

Six-Year Facilities PlanLower Dam Removal (1997-99) $118,000;Troutmere Dam Removal (1997-99) $92,000;Garage Doors (1997-99) $14,500; Drill NewWell (1999-2001) $6,000; New Ditch/TileArea (beyond 2003) $2,500

OSCEOLA HATCHERY EXPENDITURES - FY 1995-96Permanent Salaries $95,468Fringe 40,097

Limited Term Employees 568Fringe 68


SUPERVISORY COMPLEXITYSince Osceola is the DNR’s broodstock facil-ity for domesticated rainbow trout in Wiscon-sin, it must maintain a Class “A” disease-freestatus. Facility maintenance, fish healthprotection and security are critical supervi-sory responsibilities here. In addition, theHatchery Supervisor must have expertise inwater quality, public relations, land manage-ment and development, facilities and equip-ment maintenance, scientific methodology,

salmonid broodstock management, coldwaterfish culture techniques, state and federalregulatory procedures and requirements,personnel management and fish distributiontechnology. This facility has a high visitationrate, providing the principal DNR contactpoint in the area. The supervisor also workswith the Private Industry Council, providinga work site for several individuals each year,adding to supervisory responsibility andcomplexity. Since this is a remote hatchery,with broodstock that require special attentionand security, the supervisor is expected tolive on the site.

STAFFINGThe current staffing at Osceola is four FTE.There is currently one vacancy. The lastworkload analysis identified a need for 4.7FTE. The hatchery also employs 1 six-monthlimited term employee during peak workperiods.


29

Several off-site rearing ponds are operated bythe South Central Region Operations person-nel from Fitchburg. They are:

I-90 Pond - This is a shallow 4 acre pond onthe DNR’s Pine Island Wildlife Area, nearPortage in Columbia County, that was cre-ated by excavation for fill dirt during theconstruction of Interstate 90-94. Over the past10 years, walleye and largemouth bass havebeen raised here.

Lake Katrine - This is a 38 acre natural land-locked lake west of Madison in Dane County.This lake is surrounded by property ownedby a youth camp, who give the DNR permis-sion to operate it as a rearing pond. Thispond is solely used to rear walleye. Produc-tion has been highly variable over the years,with occasional total failures due tocontamination by herbicides from nearbyfarm land.

Nevin Pond - This is a 4 acre dug pond onthe Nevin Hatchery grounds that is operatedby South Central Region operations staff torear Northern pike or muskellunge.

Operations personnel are also responsible forobtaining walleye and Northern pike spawnfrom area lakes for incubation and rearing atLake Mills Hatchery, collecting adult bass forbroodstock as required, and stocking fish inSouth Central Region waters.

FISH PRODUCTIONThe South Central Region rearing pondsreceive walleye fry from Lake Mills Hatchery,northern pike fingerlings from Lake Mills orWild Rose Hatcheries, and muskellungefingerlings from Thompson Hatchery asrequired for production. South Central Re-gion Operations obtain wild largemouth bassbroodstock as needed to produce this species.

From 1987 through 1996, fish production atthese facilities averaged as follows:

I-90 Number PoundsFingerling 52,530 238

The Optimum Sustained Production Capac-ity for walleye is 72,500 fish weighing a totalof 85 pounds.

The Maximum Sustained Production Capac-ity for walleye is 90,000 fish weighing a totalof 106 pounds.

The Optimum Sustained Production Capac-ity for largemouth bass is 50,000 fish weigh-ing a total of 77 pounds. The MaximumSustained Production Capacity for large-mouth bass is 90,000 fish weighing a total of138 pounds.

Katrine Number PoundsFingerling 380,102 1,876

The Optimum Sustained Production Capac-ity for walleye is 440,000 fish weighing atotal of 518 pounds. The Maximum SustainedProduction Capacity for walleye is 750,000fish weighing a total of 882 pounds.

Nevin Number PoundsFingerling 7,372 310

The Optimum Sustained Production Capac-ity for muskellunge is 2,000 fish weighing atotal of 400 pounds. The Maximum SustainedProduction Capacity for muskellunge is 2,500fish weighing a total of 500 pounds.

The Optimum Sustained Production Capac-ity for Northern pike is 4,200 fish weighing atotal of 420 pounds. The Maximum SustainedProduction Capacity for Northern pike is5,000 fish weighing a total of 500 pounds.

FACILITIESOther than the rearing stations and associ-ated lands and buildings, there are no otherfacilities directly associated with this propa-gation program.


SOUTH CENTRAL REGION OPERATIONS PROPAGATIONEXPENDITURES - FY 1995-96Permanent Salaries $32,122Fringe 10,791



SOUTHCENTRALREGIONOPERATIONS3991 Fish HatcheryRoadFitchburg, WI 53711(608) 275-3244

30

SUPERVISORY COMPLEXITYThe Regional Field Operations Supervisormust have expertise in water quality, publicrelations, land management and develop-ment, facilities and equipment maintenance,scientific methodology, coolwater fish culturetechniques, state and federal regulatoryprocedures and requirements, personnelmanagement and fish distribution technolo-gy.

STAFFINGThe South Central Region Operations propa-gation program does not have any staff per-manently assigned to it. All of the staff thatwork on it have other primary operationsassignments. The last workload analysisdid not include Operations Crew propaga-tion activities.

St. Croix Falls Hatchery is located in the cityof St. Croix Falls in Polk County. This stationwas established in 1919. In 1960, a newhatchery building and a service buildingwere provided and in 1976, sixteen newoutdoor raceways were constructed. Sincethen, several additional projects have beenfunded to improve existing buildings. Thehatchery now has 248 egg incubating trays,49 indoor rearing tanks and 24 outdoorraceways.

The water supply is about 2,000 gpm from a“french drain” ground water collection sys-tem on a hillside overlooking the hatchery.

FISH PRODUCTIONThis is our principle broodstock station forbrook trout, and one of two broodstock sta-tions for domestic brown trout. Hatcherypersonnel take 1 million brook trout eggs and2.2 million brown trout eggs annually, tosupply statewide needs. St. Croix FallsHatchery produces fish in 2 distinct lots(species/age) annually for stocking and isresponsible for maintaining 4 lots of domesti-cated brown trout and 3 lots of domesticatedbrook trout brood stock.

From 1984 through 1990, fish production fordirect stocking from this facility averaged asfollows:

Coldwater Number PoundsFingerlings 54,158 12,295Yearlings 100,784 23,783Adults 4,588 7,054Totals 159,530 43,132

This facility transfers about 290,000 Springfingerlings weighing 5,800 ponds to otherDNR hatcheries and rearing stations, and to

cooperative rearing facilities. It also main-tains 1,800 brook trout and 3,400 brown troutbroodstock.

The Optimum Sustained Production Capac-ity is 2,629,080 fish weighing a total of 64,190pounds, including transfers. The MaximumSustained Production Capacity is 2,930,000fish weighing a total of 69,895 pounds, in-cluding transfers.

FACILITIESSt. Croix Falls Hatchery has 6 buildings,including a residence, with a replacementvalue of $766,833.

Expenditures for water supply maintenancemay be substantial in the future. The watersupply has been contaminated several timesin the past by gasoline spills from gas sta-tions on the top of the hill, resulting in correc-tive action by the gas station owners. How-ever, there is concern that water supply con-tamination may occur again in the future asdevelopment continues in the groundwaterrecharge area.

Six-Year Facilities PlanOffice Windows/Insulation (2001-2003)$23,000; Building Repair Feasibility (2001-2003) $6,000

ST. CROIX FALLS HATCHERY EXPENDITURES - FY 1995-96Permanent Salaries $90,915Fringe 38,185

Limited Term Employees 0Fringe 0


ST. CROIXFALLSHATCHERYBox 397, 230 River St.St. Croix Falls, WI54024(715) 483-3535

31

SUPERVISORY COMPLEXITYThis facility is currently classified Class “A”(disease-free), requiring that the supervisorhave expertise in disease prevention proce-dures. In addition, the supervisor must haveexpertise in water quality, public relations,land management and development, facilitiesand equipment maintenance, scientificmethodology, salmonid broodstock manage-ment, coldwater fish culture techniques, stateand federal regulatory procedures andrequirements, personnel management andfish distribution technology. Since the facil-ity has a complex water supply system, proneto contamination from external sources, thesupervisor has enhanced responsibility forwater supply security. Since broodstock andthe water supply require immediate attentionin emergencies, the supervisor must live onthe site.

STAFFINGSt.Croix Falls is currently staffed with fourpermanent FTE. The last workload analysisidentified a need for 5.8 FTE, however asignificant amount of time was spent onDNR license sales and permits. That respon-sibility has ended.


Gov. Thompson Hatchery is located on Hwy.27 in the city of Spooner, in WashburnCounty. This station was established as theSpooner Hatchery in 1914 as a northern pikehatchery. Major expansion in 1994-95 hasresulted in one of the largest coolwater fishpropagation facilities in the world. This is an1,200 jar hatchery where northern pike, wall-eye, muskellunge and sucker eggs are incu-bated and hatched. The hatchery operates 48rearing ponds onsite as well as leasing 5-10outlying walleye rearing ponds.

The main water supply is the Yellow RiverFlowage, which supplies 1,800 gallons perminute. Additional water is available fromthe Spooner municipal well system.

FISH PRODUCTIONAnnually, personnel at this hatchery spawnwild fish in area lakes to obtain about 1million muskellunge eggs, 40 million walleyeeggs, 4.3 million northern pike eggs andabout 120 million sucker eggs (for forage).Muskellunge, walleye and northern pike arereared on-site, while addition walleye arereared in the outlying ponds.

The following annual average fish produc-tion is presented for the pre-renovation pe-riod (1988-93), and the post-renovation pe-riod (1996-97). The biggest change was anincrease in walleye fingerling production:

Pre-Ren. Post-Ren.Thompson No. Lbs. No. Lbs.Fry 43,695,120 836 18,457,250 418Fingerling 205,877 26,091 1,555,387 17,833Yearling 2,144 1,279 0 0Totals 43,902,069 27,566 20,012,637 18,251

The Optimum Sustained Production Capac-ity is 94,805,170 fish weighing a total of15,700 pounds, including forage production.The Maximum Sustained Production Capac-ity is 119,540,500 fish weighing a total of30,630 pounds, including forage production.The rearing ponds at Thompson are suited torearing a variety of coolwater species, so theamount of acreage used for any one speciesdepends on production needs for that rearingcycle. The following per acre productioncapacities could be used to calculate differentspecies mixes:

GOV. TOMMYTHOMPSON(SPOONER)HATCHERY951 W. Maple St.Spooner, WI 54801(715) 635-4149

32

Opt. Prod. Max. Prod.Muskellunge No. Lbs No. Lbs.Small Fgl 6,500 65 7,500 75Large Fgl 4,300 860 5,000 1,000Yearling 2,100 1,400 2,500 1,670

Opt. Prod. Max. Prod.Northern pike No. Lbs No. Lbs.Small Fgl 5,150 75 8,000 115Large Fgl 2,000 200 5,000 500

Opt. Prod. Max. Prod.Walleye No. Lbs No. Lbs.Small Fgl 60,100 70 76,000 90XLarge Fgl 10,000 400 12,000 480

With the increased capacity for walleyeproduction at Thompson, the number ofoutlying ponds utilized was reduced to cutoperating expenses:

Outlying Ponds Pre-Ren. Post-Ren. No. Lbs No. Lbs.Fingerling 1,664,09 8,343 544,145 2,338

The Optimum Sustained Production Capac-ity and the Maximum Sustained ProductionCapacity for these ponds depends on thenumber being operated.

The Optimum Sustained Production Capac-ity is an average of 15,750 fish weighing atotal of 19 pounds per acre. The MaximumSustained Production Capacity is an averageof 20,000 fish weighing a total of 24 poundsper acre.

FACILITIESA major renovation project costing in excessof $10.5 million was completed in the Springof 1996. This total replacement of the hatch-ery building and rearing pond complex,renovation of the water supply system, anddevelopment of a wastewater treatment sys-tem expanded the facility’s capability toproduce both muskellunge and walleye. TheThompson Hatchery complex has four build-ings with a replacement value of $1,041,612.


GOV. TOMMY THOMPSON HATCHERY EXPENDITURES -FY 1995-96Permanent Salaries $203,787Fringe 85,591



SUPERVISORY COMPLEXITYOperating perhaps the largest muskellungeand walleye hatchery in the world exacts ademanding workload, requiring that thesupervisor have expertise in water quality,public relations, land management anddevelopment, facilities and equipment main-tenance, scientific methodology, coolwaterfish culture techniques, state and federalregulatory procedures and requirements,personnel management and fish distributiontechnology. The production program at thisfacility consists of a demanding 2-monthround-the-clock work schedule duringspawning, hatching and fry distribution.This is followed with 5 months activity toaccomplish a major coolwater productionand stocking schedule. During the remain-der of the year, when fish are not being pro-duced on the station, the supervisor isresponsible for maintenance, reporting, plan-ning and personnel management.

STAFFINGThe current staffing at Thompson is 9.5 per-manent FTE (includes one 0.76 and one 0.5FTE seasonal positions). There is currentlyone FTE vacancy. The last workload analysisidentified a minimal staffing requirement of7.1 FTE, however that was done before thehatchery renovation which has substantiallychanged the production program. The workforce also includes up to 17 limited termemployees during peak production periods.

PRODUCTION LIMITATIONSAs a relatively new facility, the hatchery crewis still in a “learning curve” phase of devel-oping a dependable program.

33

Thunder River Rearing Station is located inMarinette County. This station was built in1935 by CCC and WPA crews. In 1957, twoearthen ponds were constructed, and in 1967a new residence was constructed. Minorpond renovations have been made over theyears. Most of the raceways at this facilityare within buildings.

The water supply is diversion from the SouthFork Thunder River, at a minimum of 1,800gpm. Water temperatures and flow volumesvary drastically due to the large watershedupstream.

FISH PRODUCTIONBrook, brown and rainbow trout have allbeen reared here, however, due to low watertemperatures during the Winter, this facilitywas operated seasonally, producing Fallfingerlings, from 1982 until 1993 when cohosalmon started to be held over-winter. Dis-ease has been a recurring problem here due towild fish in the water supply. The facility isbest suited for raising brown trout and cohosalmon. Thunder River produces fish from 2distinct lots (species/age) annually.

From 1984 through 1990, fish production atthis facility averaged as follows:

Coldwater Number PoundsFingerlings 206,112 29,333Yearlings 80,000 8,000Totals 286,112 37,333


THUNDER RIVER REARING STATION EXPENDITURES - FY 1995-96Permanent Salaries $44,447Fringe 18,668


Supplies and Services 34,944Capital and Equipment 1,511Total Expenditures $107,566

THUNDERRIVERREARINGSTATIONRt. 1Crivitz, WI 54114(715) 757-3541

FACILITIESThunder River Rearing Station has 8 build-ings, including a residence, with an overallreplacement value of $420,560.

Six-Year Facilities PlanRaceway Repair (beyond 2003) $23,100

SUPERVISORY COMPLEXITYThis facility is directly supervised by theLanglade Hatchery Supervisor, with the localRearing Station Foreman overseeing the day-to-day operations. Since direct supervision isnot available at the site and the water supplyis open and vulnerable to climatic conditionsaffecting water quality, the foreman must beknowledgeable of water quality requirements.In addition, because of the remoteness of thesite, the foreman must be versed in publicrelations, land management and develop-ment, facilities and equipment maintenance,scientific methodology, cold water fish cul-ture techniques, personnel management andfish distribution technology. Because of theremote location, the foreman must live on thesite.

STAFFINGThunder River is currently staffed with 1.5permanent FTE (one 0.5 FTE seasonal) withsupervision provided by the Langlade Hatch-ery Supervisor. The seasonal employee hasbeen extended to 11 months since 1993 toprovide adequate staffing for coho salmonproduction. The last workload analysisidentified a minimum staffing need of 1.4FTE, however that was done prior to theaddition of coho salmon production to theworkload.


34

Off-site rearing ponds are operated by theWest Central Region Operations personnelfrom Black River Falls. The major ponds inthis complex have been identified as RearingStations. They are:

Albion Rearing Station - This is six pondstotaling about five acres located near BlackRiver Falls in Jackson County. Over the past10 years, muskellunge, northern pike andlargemouth bass have been raised here, how-ever the primary production has been inmusky and bass. One of the ponds is used to“overwinter” the largemouth bass broodstockused in the Region’s bass propagation.

Northfield Rearing Station - This is a 33 acreimpoundment lying just east of I-94 near thevillage of Northfield in Jackson County. Thisimpoundment was built during the Wiscon-sin Conservation Department’s “small lakecreation” program during the early 1970’s.In recent years, an aeration system was in-stalled on the dam to prevent thermal stratifi-cation using a blower in a building on shorewith the air passing through hoses connectedto a submerged “air lift”. There is anotherfour acre impoundment upstream ofNorthfield (Holen School Pond) that is oper-ated as part of this rearing station. Theseponds have been used to produce muskel-lunge (Holen School Pond), walleye andlargemouth bass (Northfield) in the past 10years, however the primary production hasbeen in musky and bass.

Trump Coulee Rearing Station - This is a 14acre impoundment, also created under the“small lake creation” program, located nearTaylor in Jackson County. This facility alsohas an aeration system installed on the damto prevent thermal stratification by using ablower in a building on shore with the airpassing through hoses connected to a sub-merged “air lift”. Over the past 10 years,muskellunge and largemouth bass have beenraised here, however the primary productionhas been in musky.

Starting in 1997, as a result of reorganization,West Central Region Operations also tookover operations of the Winding Creek Rear-ing Station near Colby in western MarathonCounty, was previously operated by person-nel from the Oehmcke (Woodruff) Hatchery.

This 63 acre impoundment was also createdunder the “small lake creation” programduring the early 1970’s, and is used exclu-sively for walleye production. A develop-ment project to increase the production ca-pacity of this facility was completed in 1993.This included installation of an aerationsystem using large blowers in a building onshore with the air passing through buriedpipes to hoses connecting to floating “airlifts”, and construction of a flood bypasschannel to pass flash floods around therearing pond.

In addition, the Region has operated variousother ponds on State, Federal or private landsover the years, producing muskellunge,walleye and largemouth bass, with the pri-mary production being walleye. Use of theseponds ended in 1992. Regional Operationsstaff still use a sewage treatment facility atWhitehall in Trempealeau County as asource of forage minnows for musky produc-tion.

Operations personnel are also responsible forcoordinating a large number of cooperativerearing ponds in the Region, which add highquality trout to the stocking program.

FISH PRODUCTIONThe coolwater ponds receive fry and finger-lings from the Northern Region hatcheries(Oehmcke and Thompson) each year forproduction of walleyes and muskellunge.West Central Region Operations maintainswild largemouth bass broodstock to producethis species to meet most of the state needs.Several of the rearing ponds in the WestCentral are suited to rearing a variety ofcoolwater species, so the amount of acreageused for any one species depends on produc-tion needs for that rearing cycle. The follow-ing per acre production capacities could beused to calculate different species mixes:

From 1987 through 1996, fish production atthese facilities averaged as follows:

Albion Number PoundsFingerling 18,018 1,321

The Optimum Sustained Production Capac-ity is 9,100 muskellunge weighing a total of

WEST CENTRALREGIONOPERATIONS910 Hwy 54 E.Black River Falls, WI54615(715) 284-1447

35

1,820 pounds. The Maximum SustainedProduction Capacity is 12,020 muskellungeweighing a total of 2,405 pounds.

When largemouth bass are raised at Albion,the average production was 5,070 fingerlingweighing 70 pounds, per acre.

Northfield Number PoundsFry 71,575 2Fingerling 729,311 2,855Totals 800,886 2,857

The Optimum Sustained Production Capac-ity at Northfield is 705,430 largemouth bassweighing a total of 1,320 pounds. The Maxi-mum Sustained Production Capacity atNorthfield is 1,011,845 largemouth bassweighing a total of 2,010 pounds.

When walleye were raised at Northfield, theaverage production was 19,235 fingerlingweighing 40 pounds, per acre.

The Optimum Sustained Production Capac-ity at Holen School pond is 5,160 muskel-lunge weighing a total of 1,030 pounds. TheMaximum Sustained Production Capacity atHolen School pond is 5,750 muskellungeweighing a total of 1,150 pounds.

Trump Coulee Number PoundsFingerling 138,690 2,441

The Optimum Sustained Production Capac-ity is 12,650 muskellunge weighing a total of2,530 pounds. The Maximum SustainedProduction Capacity is 15,250 muskellungeweighing a total of 3,050 pounds.

When largemouth bass were raised at TrumpCoulee, the average production was 30,910fingerling weighing 165 pounds, per acre.

The annual average walleye production atWinding Creek improved significantly fol-lowing development:

Pre-Dev. Post-Dev.Winding Creek No. Lbs. No. Lbs.Fingerling 430,066 2,960 631,815 3,384

The Optimum Sustained Production Capac-ity is 630,000 walleye weighing a total of 740pounds. The Maximum Sustained

Production Capacity is 1,000,000 walleyeweighing a total of 1,175 pounds.

FACILITIESOther than the rearing stations and associ-ated lands and buildings, there are no otherfacilities directly associated with this propa-gation program.

Six-Year Facilities PlanWinding Creek - Rock for Roads (1999-2001)$5,000

WEST CENTRAL REGION OPERATIONS PROPAGATIONEXPENDITURES - FY 1995-96Permanent Salaries $32,836Fringe 13,791



SUPERVISORY COMPLEXITYThe Regional Fisheries Operations Supervi-sor is responsible for maintenance of a largereservoir of largemouth bass broodstock(approximately 200-500 fish) on a year-roundbasis. Fish are transferred as needed fromholding ponds to rearing facilities where theyspawn to produce young for our production.This broodstock must continually be moni-tored for health, growth and age, and por-tions of the population are periodically re-placed to maintain the vigor of the stock. Inaddition, there is responsibility for extensiveminnow production and cooperative troutrearing programs. The supervisor must haveexpertise in water quality, public relations,land management and development, facilitiesand equipment maintenance, scientific meth-odology, cold and coolwater fish culturetechniques, state and federal regulatoryprocedures and requirements, personnelmanagement and fish distribution technolo-gy.

STAFFINGThe fish propagation program is currentlystaffed with 3.5 permanent FTE, (one 0.5 FTEseasonal) plus a permanent assignment of

36

other operations personnel’s time for thecoldwater cooperatives. The last workloadanalysis did not include Operations Crew

propagation activities, however the RegionalOperations Supervisor believes current staff-ing is adequate.

Westfield Hatchery is located in the village ofWestfield in Marquette County. This stationwas built in 1927 by WPA crews. Recentimprovements include replacement of theraceways in 1992, and a new 10-inch arte-sian well in 1991. The hatchery now has 27indoor rearing tanks and 10 outdoor race-ways.

The water supply for Westfield is two arte-sian wells with an average combined flow of300 gpm.

Hatchery staff also supervise cooperativerearing operations at a complex of outdoortanks and ponds owned by Green LakeCounty near Green Lake.

FISH PRODUCTIONOver the years, Westfield has produced avariety of salmonids including brown andlake trout, splake (brook x lake trout hybrid),and coho and chinook salmon. Currently thehatches and rears chinook salmon for GreatLakes stocking. In addition, coho salmon arereared here for Lake Michigan stocking.Westfield Hatchery produces fish in 2 dis-tinct lots (species/age) annually.

From 1984 through 1990, fish production atthis facility averaged as follows:

Westfield Number PoundsFingerlings 950,229 11,394Yearlings 66,376 4,308Totals 1,016,605 15,702

The Optimum Sustained Production Capac-ity is 1,100,000 fish weighing a total of 19,080pounds. The Maximum Sustained Produc-tion Capacity is 1,250,000 fish weighing atotal of 23,735 pounds.

The operation of the Green Lake CooperativeRearing Station is supervised by Westfieldpersonnel. This facility produces brown,

lake and rainbow trout for Green Lake, GreenLake County.

Cooperative Number PoundsFingerlings 30,011 4,305Yearlings 51,155 11,049Totals 81,166 15,354

FACILITIESWestfield Hatchery has 6 buildings, includ-ing a residence, with an overall replacementvalue of $227,091.

Six-Year Facilities PlanReside Garage (2001-2003) $2,700

WESTFIELD HATCHERY EXPENDITURES - FY 1995-96Permanent Salaries $44,972Fringe 18,888



SUPERVISORY COMPLEXITYThis facility is directly supervised by theWild Rose Hatchery Supervisor, with thelocal Hatchery Foreman overseeing the day-to-day operations. The foreman must beversed in public relations, land managementand development, facilities and equipmentmaintenance, coldwater fish culture tech-niques, personnel management and fishdistribution technology. A staff person liveson the site.

STAFFINGWestfield is currently staffed with two per-manent FTE, with supervision provided bythe Wild Rose Hatchery Supervisor. The lastworkload analysis identified a staffing re-quirement of 2.5 FTE. There is an LTE at theGreen Lake Cooperative that is employed byGreen County.

WESTFIELDHATCHERYBox 44, 220 WPioneer Park RdWestfield, WI 53964(608) 296-2343

37

PRODUCTION LIMITATIONSThe amount and quality of the water supplyare the primary factors limiting coldwaterproduction at this facility. Because of the

long-term rearing record, professional judge-ment is the most reasonable means ofdetermining capacity.

Wild Rose Hatchery, the state’s largestcoldwater hatchery, is located just north ofthe village of Wild Rose, on Highway 22, inWaushara County. This facility was built atthe site of a private hatchery in 1905. Sincethen, an office/service building was added in1956, a new coldwater hatchery building wasbuilt in 1965, a warm/coolwater rearingbuilding in 1974, and a salvaged storagebuilding was erected in 1995. The hatcheryhas 72 ponds and raceways, most of whichwere constructed in the 1930’s under theW.P.A. program.

The water supply is a combination of arte-sian wells, pumped wells and flowingsprings providing an average flow of 2,000gpm. The water supply is reused up to 27times prior to final discharge. A study of thegroundwater supply is being completed bythe U.S. Geological Survey, with preliminaryfindings indicating a large volume of water isavailable through pumping.

Because this is a major warm and cold waterproduction facility, buildings and equipmentare in nearly continual use, producing vary-ing numbers of cold and coolwater species,depending upon needs for stocking. Much ofthe equipment used here was especiallyfabricated for this facility and requires an-nual maintenance between rearing seasons.An outlying rearing pond on DNR property,the White River Pond, is used to produce Fallyearling muskellunge for the Lake Michiganrestoration project.

FISH PRODUCTIONWild Rose maintains a domestic brown troutbroodstock, and hatches and rears domesticand wild brown trout and chinook salmonfor the Great Lakes program and inlandprograms. It is the primary Lake Michiganhatchery, producing 56% of the brown troutstocked (36% of all trout), and 67% of thechinook salmon (52% of all salmon).

From 1984 through 1990, salmonid produc-tion directly for stocking at this facility aver-aged as follows:

Coldwater Number PoundsFingerlings 1,439,605 37,970Yearlings 389,054 81,307Adults 3,747 2,175Totals 1,832,406 121,452

In recent years, annual production has in-cluded 190,000 brown trout fingerlings trans-ferred to other rearing stations.

The coldwater Optimum Sustained Produc-tion Capacity is 4,442,000 fish weighing atotal of 86,355 pounds, including transfers.The coldwater Maximum Sustained Produc-tion Capacity is 5,362,500 fish weighing atotal of 104,050 pounds, including transfers.

Pioneering work on lake sturgeon culturewas performed here, and the hatchery sup-plies sturgeon eggs and fry for a number ofrehabilitation and research projects through-out Wisconsin, nationally, and interna-tionally, with the program funded by dona-tions from “Sturgeon For Tomorrow”.

Wild Rose is also the leader in developmentof using artificial diets for rearing northernpike and hybrid muskellunge in Wisconsin,and is the key hatchery in the restoration ofthe Great Lakes strain of muskellunge toupper Lake Michigan. They incubate suckereggs to produce forage for their and otherhatcheries musky programs.

Average annual production of coolwaterspecies from 1988-97 was:

Coolwater Number PoundsFry 14,231,262 535Fingerling 91,472 5,391Totals 14,322,734 5,926

The coolwater Optimum Sustained Produc-tion Capacity is 24,448,200 fish weighing a

WILD ROSEHATCHERYN5871 State Hwy 22Wild Rose, WI 54984(920) 622-3527

38

total of 4,235 pounds, including forage pro-duction. The coolwater Maximum SustainedProduction Capacity is 36,286,250 fishweighing a total of 10,560 pounds, includingforage production.

There are two types of coolwater ponds atthis facility, intensive and extensive. Theintensive ponds are designed and used toproduce Northern pike or hybrid muskel-lunge on artificial diets. The extensive pondshave been used to produce a variety of spe-cies including Northern pike, walleye, andmuskellunge, the current use. The followingare the per acre production capacities:

Opt. Prod. Max.Prod.Muskellunge No. Lbs. No. Lbs.Large Fgl 3,000 600 6,000 1,200

Wild Rose Hatchery produces fish from 8 to10 distinct lots (species/age groups) annu-ally, maintains 4 domesticated brown troutbroodstock lots, and spawns trout andsalmon from the Strawberry Creek, Kewaunee(Besadny) and Root River harvest weirs.

FACILITIESWild Rose Hatchery has 22 buildings, in-cluding 1 residence, with an overall replace-ment value of $1,209,071.

Starting in 1998, a feasibility study andpreliminary design for a complete renovationof the water supply system and rearing facili-ties will be initiated. This is necessary tobring the water supply system into compli-ance with existing codes, and to replacedeteriorating and obsolete rearing units, inorder to maintain, and enhance if possible,the rearing capability.

Six-Year Facilities PlanHatchery design (1997-99) $600,000; Hatch-ery Renovation (1999-2001) $6,500,000;Storage Facility (beyond 2003) $25,000

WILD ROSE HATCHERY EXPENDITURES - FY 1995-96Permanent Salaries $174,956Fringe 73,481



SUPERVISORY COMPLEXITYRearing both cold and coolwater species atWild Rose is accomplished by manipulatingwater temperatures from the upper coldwaterrearing units through the lower coolwaterponds. The facility has over 50 artesian wellswhich provide rearing water. Usually 6-8species of fish are reared at any one time onthis facility, further adding to the complexityof operations. To maximize hatchery spaceand personnel time, brown trout arespawned over an extensive period through aprocess which manipulates photoperiod (daylength) on the broodstock. Due to the popu-larity of this facility as a site for tourists andas a major source for the Lake Michiganstocking program, the Hatchery Supervisor isoften in contact with media personnel andorganized angling groups as well as thosewho independently visit these facilities. Inview of the threat of disease posed by han-dling feral brood stocks, the supervisor musthave expertise in disease prevention proce-dures. In addition, the supervisor must haveexpertise in water quality, public relations,land management and development, facilitiesand equipment maintenance, scientific meth-odology, salmonid broodstock management,cold and coolwater fish culture techniques,state and federal regulatory procedures andrequirements, personnel management andfish distribution technology. Since the facil-ity has a complex water supply system, thesupervisor has enhanced responsibility forwater supply security. Since broodstock andthe water supply require immediate attentionin emergencies, the supervisor must live onthe site.

STAFFINGWild Rose is currently staffed with 8.75permanent FTE. There is one vacancy. Thelast workload analysis identified a staffingrequirement for 9.1 FTE.


39

Documents

Production Capacities of the Wisconsin Department of ... · the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (WDNR) fish propagation and stocking programs entitled An Evaluation -