Richard Clay Bodine State Fish Hatchery - Mishawaka, Indiana

Richard Clay Bodine State Fish Hatchery

The Richard Clay Bodine State Fish Hatchery is an essential facility for fish lovers and enthusiasts in Mishawaka, Indiana. It is an excellent place for both educational purposes and a fun family outing. This hatchery is a division of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, dedicated to producing and stocking fish for Indiana's public waters.

About the Hatchery

The hatchery is named after Richard Clay Bodine, a former Indiana state senator who was a strong advocate for conservation and natural resources. The facility was established in 1969 and has been serving its purpose ever since. It covers approximately 45 acres and is equipped with various tanks, raceways, and outdoor ponds.

The hatchery specializes in the production of fish farm, specifically focusing on trout, salmon, and catfish. These fish are stocked in Indiana's public waters, providing opportunities for anglers and supporting the state's aquatic ecosystems.

Location and Contact Information

Visiting the Hatchery

Visitors can expect a wheelchair-accessible car park and a delivery service. The hatchery offers guided tours, providing an opportunity to learn about the fish production process and the various species raised at the facility. The tour includes viewing tanks with fish at different stages of growth, from babies to full-grown.

The hatchery also has a kiosk-like structure with some information for visitors before they get to the actual fish tanks. There is a small inside display as well, but it is essential to note that this is not a touristy place. It is an actual working hatchery where different tanks hold different size fish.

Visitors can enjoy their time at the hatchery, with a tour typically taking around 30 minutes. It is an enjoyable experience for both adults and children, with even young grandchildren (aged 4, 6, and 7) having a lot of fun during their visit.

Opinions and Reviews

The Richard Clay Bodine State Fish Hatchery has an average opinion rating of 4.3/5 based on 16 reviews on Google My Business. Visitors have praised the hatchery for its informative tours, knowledgeable staff, and the opportunity to learn about the fish production process. The hatchery is also appreciated for its accessibility and the enjoyment it provides for both adults and children.

Some visitors have mentioned that the hatchery is not a touristy place, which can be seen as a positive aspect, as it is an actual working facility where different tanks hold different size fish. This makes the visit educational and engaging for all ages.

In conclusion, the Richard Clay Bodine State Fish Hatchery is an excellent place for both educational purposes and a fun family outing. It is a place where visitors can learn about the fish production process, see various species of fish at different stages of growth, and enjoy a fun and informative experience.

👍 Reviews of Richard Clay Bodine State Fish Hatchery

Lauren F.

5/5

Went on a school field trip and it was super informative! I learned just as much as the students did. They show you the fish from babies all the way to full grown and have very knowledgeable staff leading the tours.

loveross0716

4/5

There's a kiosk-like structure with a some info for visitors before you get to the actual fish tanks, and a very small inside display, but this is not a touristy place. It is an actual hatchery, where different tanks hold different size fish. Our young grandkids (age 4, 6 and 7) had a lot of fun. Only took about 1/2 hour and was enjoyable for us adults too. Nothing flashy.

Sariah M.

5/5

What an unexpected place! We visited here with friends a few months ago and the workers were so helpful (if nobody is around you can just knock on the door and someone will come talk to you). We set up a tool for a group of us with preschool-aged kids, and it was wonderful! It was free, they taught us about what they do, showed a video, and let us see fish eggs and let us feed the fishes.

Reed L.

1/5

Outside of a school group and as a local dad with a kid who wanted to see some "fish", the outing was a total bust. We had to find somebody to ask if there was anything to do, the "visitor center" was non-existent, and there were just a couple large tanks of tiny fish outside. I know I'm not the typical visitor, but it was definitely not for walk in visitor even though it was described as such.

Tanya K.

4/5

We showed up here unexpected to check it out, and was offered a free personal tour! We learned a lot about the Steelhead Trout and the Salmon they raise. Interesting stuff. The hatcheries are covered with huge nets, to keep the fish in and predators out. (Although a local otter helps himself from time to time) I observed a butterfly fly over one of the nets and the water came alive with 10 or more fish leaping out of the water to try to get a quick snack. It was fascinating, but maybe I just like things like this.

Sydney T.

5/5

Awesome tour !! Dress according to the weather because half of the tour is outside. Make sure you call first and schedule a tour so u can go inside too

Michelle I.

5/5

I enjoyed the wonderful lessons the DNR people taught the students today, they learned so much about replenishing fish supplies and boosting our ecosystem with fish in our local streams , Rivers, and lakes...

SAW A.

4/5

Cool place to visit welcome to public free tours great for homeschoolers.