About Us

Sullivan Creek National Fish Hatchery was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corp in the 1930s. The hatchery was utilized by the U.S. Forest Service to provide brook trout to nearby streams, but was closed during World War II due to manpower and appropriation shortages. The hatchery was renovated in 1959, and became a sub-station of the newly built Pendills Creek National Fish Hatchery to help provide lake trout for stocking in the Great Lakes. In 1994, the hatchery again shifted to house lake trout broodstock, and has since been a provider of lake trout eggs throughout the country. Access to Sullivan Creek is restricted due to the sensitivity of our valuable broodstock.

Our Mission

The purpose of Sullivan Creek National Fish Hatchery is to produce up to 6 million eyed lake trout eggs annually by maintaining healthy and valuable lake trout broodfish. The majority of our eggs are transferred to other fish hatcheries so they can produce lake trout for stocking into the Great Lakes for the restoration of lake trout populations. Spawning of adult fish at Sullivan Creek lasts from mid-September to mid-November. Retired and excess lake trout brood are stocked into inland lakes for recreational fishing opportunities.

Our History

1930s - Hiawatha Forest National Fish Hatchery was established, originally utilized by the U.S. Forest Service until World War II.

1959 - Hiawatha Forest National Fish Hatchery became a substation of Pendills Creek National Fish Hatchery.

1994 - Hiawatha Forest National Fish Hatchery became a dedicated lake trout broodfish facility.

2003 - Hiawatha Forest National Fish Hatchery was renamed to Sullivan Creek National Fish Hatchery and the fish production building was completed.

2013 - Sullivan Creek National Fish Hatchery has a new egg incubation and early broodfish rearing building constructed that can incubate 10 million lake trout eggs.