Peterson Fish Hatchery near the Root River in SE Minnesota. Photo by Joe Friedrichs
Boundary Waters Trout – The Minnesota Hatchery Tour
By Joe Friedrichs
Paddle and Portage media recently toured the Peterson State Fish Hatchery, which is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Assistant Fisheries Supervisor Ryan Wierzba led us on a tour.
The Paddle & Portage Podcast will feature a complete episode from the site visit and our recent trip to the southeastern corner of the state, including to the Root River near Lanesboro, later this month (April 2026). Among other things, we’ll be discussing how splake are made and how they end up in the lakes in and around the BWCA.
What is a splake: a lake trout and brook trout hybrid. Subscribe to the Paddle & Portage Podcast to learn more and follow the story.
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