Oden State Fish Hatchery celebrates opening of new fishing pier
Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 06/08/2015 10:15 AM EDT|
Improvements made possible by a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant. |
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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2015
Contact: Jon Spieles, 906-293-5131 ext. 4023 or Christine Steensma, 231-348-0998
Celebration at Oden State Fish Hatchery includes opening
of new fishing pier 
The Department of Natural Resources hosted a ribbon-cutting event at the Oden State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center Saturday, June 6, to unveil a new fishing pier and renovated walkways that the public now is able to enjoy.
This ribbon-cutting was the culmination of a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant awarded to the visitor center in 2013 to build a fully accessible fishing pier, boardwalk and fish-feeding/viewing platform. Work recently was completed on these enhancements and they are now open to the public.
Additionally, a new bronze sculpture donated by Deane Knox, owner and CEO of Knox Galleries of Harbor Springs, Michigan, and Beaver Creek, Colorado, was unveiled. The sculpture, titled “Ring of Bright Water II,” is a likeness of a pair of river otters in playful repose. The piece is the work of world-renowned wildlife sculptor Kent Ullberg.
The public always is welcome to come to the Oden State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, located on the grounds of the Oden State Fish Hatchery. The visitor center is the site of the original fish hatchery building, which began operations in 1921. In 2002, a new hatchery was built a quarter-mile northeast of the current visitor center.
There will be numerous opportunities for visitors to fish off the new pier, especially this coming Saturday as part of the 2015 Summer Free Fishing Weekend. On June 13, youth can fish from the pier from 8 to 10 a.m.; bait and gear will be provided. A similar event will be held Tuesday, June 16. Parents and/or guardians must be present. Please note, the ponds by the fishing pier only are open to the public during formal programming put on by Oden State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center staff.
There will be additional fishing events at Oden State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center throughout this summer; call 231-348-0998 for more information. The fish-feeding/viewing platform is open to visitors during normal hours of operation.
For more information, visit the Oden State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center website.
Additional information: The Oden State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center is located off U.S. 31 between Conway and Alanson. This visitor center and rail car are open to the public Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday hours are noon to 6 p.m. Daily tours of the Oden State Fish Hatchery are offered Monday-Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday hatchery tours are offered at 1 and 3 p.m. Hatchery tours are free and begin in the gazebo at the hatchery located off 8258 South Ayr Road in Alanson.
/Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Suggested captions follow.
Oden-OtterStatue.jpg – DNR Fish Production Manager Ed Eisch and Kathleen Moody and Deane Knox wit Knox Galleries unveil the new otter statue at Oden State Fish Hatchery Saturday, June 6. The statue features two otters sculpted in bronze.
Oden-RibbonCutting.jpg – DNR representatives including Tami Pattison, Jon Spieles, Ed Eisch and Steve DeBrabander get help from two local youths to officially open one of two new infrastructure improvements at Oden State Fish Hatchery Saturday, June 6./