Find your perfect fishing essentials
Increase conservation awareness through educational programming, outdoor exploration and exhibits at the Governor Tommy Thompson Hatchery.
Friends Into Spooner Hatchery – FISH
The Governor Tommy G. Thompson State Fish Hatchery is one of Wisconsin’s most modern cool-water fish hatcheries.
Quick Membership
You can become a member by filling out the Online Membership Form and paying with your credit card.
Increase conservation awareness through educational programming, outdoor exploration and exhibits at the Governor Tommy Thompson Hatchery.
- About Us
About the Hatchery
The Governor Tommy G. Thompson State Fish Hatchery is one of Wisconsin’s most modern cool-water fish hatcheries.
The 1994-95 renovation and expansion of the former Spooner Fish Hatchery was the largest development project in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ history at the time. It was completed on November 21, 1995.
Active Member
Country Active
Certified Mentor
Winning Award
- Discover Our Club
Adventure Begins With Every Cast You Make
Many people still refer to the Hatchery as the Spooner Hatchery and that’s where the Friends Group gets its acronym, FISH
Adopt A Musky
Now is a great time to adopt a Chippewa Flowage musky. Why? Because the 2016-year class has grown up but still has many orphans available to adopt.
Membership
You can become a member of FISH by going to our membership page. You can sign up online or download the membership form and mail it in.
Other Hatchery and Area Highlights
Spooner is a vibrant small town in Northern Wisconsin. There are lots of good eateries, shopping, sightseeing and other activities for families, couples and groups. We’d love to have you visit!
High School Teams
Successful Fishing Team Season
Shell Lake/Spooner high school team competed in 4 Wisconsin Interscholastic Fishing Association (WIFA) ice fishing tournaments. Each event requires somewhat different strategies as to species and sizes needed for success. Persistence is a factor since the fishing time allowed runs 12 to 24 hours. Teams pick the day and/or waters they will fish and submit measurement photos to the judges thru an app called Fish Donkey.
- About the Hatchery
Guided by nature, inspired by every cast and catch
Many people still refer to the Hatchery as the Spooner Hatchery and that’s where the Friends Group gets its acronym, FISH
Which Fish?
Since 1914, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has been raising fish at Spooner.
How Many Fish?
This hatchery can produce up to 2.5 million small walleye fingerlings, 300,000 larger walleye fingerlings, and 20,000–50,000 muskellunge or northern pike fingerlings.
How We Grow Fish?
All of the fish hatched and reared at the Gov. Thompson Hatchery come from outlying hatchery ponds.
Can I see the fish?
No, probably not. It is very difficult to see fish in the rearing ponds and access is restricted indoors to prevent disease.
What do they eat?
Fish need enough food of the right size when transferred to rearing ponds either as fry or fingerlings.
From Rearing Ponds to Final Destination
The outdoor rearing facility consists of six half-acre and 40 one-acre ponds.
What FISH does
Encourage
On those days when the couch is calling, we’re the still small voice saying “catch me, catch me. You know you want to. Your tackle is waiting by the door.”
Advise
Which fish? Which bait? Which water body? Which water buddy? (Always take the quiet one.) How to catch them, cook them, eat them.
Teach
The science. Habitat and habits. Predators and predation. Reproduction and lifespan.
Then there’s this:
Your membership helps the Hatchery. Which stocks more fish, which sustains fish populations. More fishing, more fun, more outside. Better health, better attitude, a lifetime of memories.
Whether you’re six, sixty or a hundred and six we want you to get outside and fish. And we’ll do just about anything to help you do that.
Membership
You can become a member of FISH by going to our membership page. You can sign up online or download the membership form and mail it in. All of our membership levels are affordable and designed to keep individuals and families involved in the world of fish. Angling is a lifetime sport and we want to involve everyone in learning and experiencing this exceptional activity.
- Testimonials
What they say about us
Our community’s support helps keep the mission of Spooner Hatchery alive — encouraging fishing, teaching conservation, supporting fish stocking, and creating outdoor memories for future generations.
FISH has helped our family reconnect with the outdoors. Their programs make fishing approachable, educational, and fun for all ages.
JOIN US
Your membership helps the Hatchery. Which stocks more fish, which sustains fish populations. More fishing, more fun, more outside. Better health, better attitude, a lifetime of memories.
Whether you’re six, sixty or a hundred and six we want you to get outside and fish. And we’ll do just about anything to help you do that.