Facility Activities
The Valley City kids fishing pond was renovated in the fall of 2013. Since inception in the early 1940’s the kids fishing pond has been used in several different ways. The pond started out as a lagoon to trap organics from the production ponds to cut down on the amount of organic material that was being discharged into Sheyenne River. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, the lagoon turned into refugia for Canada geese where staff spent many long hours caring for nesting birds and newly hatched goslings. It wasn’t until the mid to late 1990’s that the goose pond was turned into a kids fishing pond. The pond is intended to be used by children under the age of 12 who are accompanied by a parent or guardian. The pond is open for fishing year-round from dawn to dusk. For more information contact the hatchery office at 701-845-3464.
The hatchery constructed a nature trail and pollinator garden on the Earl Pomeroy public use area located just east of the main hatchery entrance. The pollinator garden consists of 350 plants that represent more than 50 species of forbs and grasses native to North Dakota. The idea behind the garden and subsequent trail is to give visitors a clear example of the types of forbs and grasses that occur in the local and surrounding area. As they walk on the trail, they should be able to point out some of those species displayed in the garden. This should be of interest to grade school students or young adults in college.