Little Grassy Fish Hatchery

Little Grassy Fish Hatchery One of three public fish hatcheries operated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Hey Folks! We continue to add displays, aquariums and programs to things to see and do at the hatchery. Come by and see ...
09/15/2025

Hey Folks! We continue to add displays, aquariums and programs to things to see and do at the hatchery. Come by and see us sometime! Youth beginner fishing programs are available!

The visitor center is closed today! Come by the DuQouin State Fair and see us!
08/23/2025

The visitor center is closed today! Come by the DuQouin State Fair and see us!

State Fair in Springfield this week! Lots of species on display in our aquariums! Come see us!
08/13/2025

State Fair in Springfield this week! Lots of species on display in our aquariums! Come see us!

08/10/2025

Stop by the IDNRs Conservation world at the Illinois State Fair! We are here all week!

08/08/2025

The Visitor Center at Little Grassy Fish Hatchery will be closed the next 4 weekends as our Site Interpreter will be at the Illinois State Fair and Du Quoin State Fair. The specific dates that we will be closed are August 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th, 30th, and 31st. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We will be open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM and Wednesdays and Thursdays 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM. We hope you will enjoy these weekends at the fair or outdoors!

07/25/2025

The Visitor Center at Little Grassy Fish Hatchery will be closed Saturday, July 26 - Sunday, July 27. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We will reopen Monday at 8:30 AM. We hope you will enjoy this beautiful weekend outdoors!

The visitors center flower garden is progressing nicely this year! All of our catfish in the building have been stocked ...
07/13/2025

The visitors center flower garden is progressing nicely this year! All of our catfish in the building have been stocked out into ponds. Indoor production is complete for this year. We still have lots of things for our visitors to come and see. Adult catfish can be fed until October or November depending temps. Come by and see us!

Great summer activities for the kids at Little Grassy Hatchery! See the eggs hatching, feed the adult Channel Catfish an...
06/21/2025

Great summer activities for the kids at Little Grassy Hatchery! See the eggs hatching, feed the adult Channel Catfish and enjoy the wildlife

On June 4th, IDNR officially released 81 healthy alligator gar averaging 14 inches and .6 pounds into the lower Cache Ri...
06/09/2025

On June 4th, IDNR officially released 81 healthy alligator gar averaging 14 inches and .6 pounds into the lower Cache River wetlands near the town of Perks in Pulaski County. The fish have been tagged with a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) to allow biologists to document each of them individually if they are recaptured in the future anywhere, they may travel in the Mississippi River Basin.

Extirpated from these waters for decades, alligator gar are now being successfully reintroduced through long-term efforts by the IDNR Division of Fisheries with fish reared at the Cordova Hatchery in central Illinois. Watching these incredible fish slip back into their native habitat, where they haven’t been seen since the 1960s, was powerful.

A huge step forward for biodiversity and restoring balance to this unique wetland ecosystem. Proud to be part of bringing this ancient predator home!



Department of Natural Resources

05/23/2025

Happy World Turtle Day!

Clockwise from top left:
Spiny Softshell
Alligator Snapping Turtle
Red-eared Slider
Smooth Softshell
Common Snapping Turtle
Northern Map Turtle
Painted Turtle
Ouachita Map Turtle
False Map Turtle
Eastern Musk Turtle

05/16/2025

First batch of the year! channel Catfish spawn

Visiting Mcleary School today
05/16/2025

Visiting Mcleary School today

Address

1258 Hatchery Lane
Makanda, IL
62958

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 3:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 2pm
Thursday 8:30am - 2pm
Friday 8:30am - 3:30pm
Saturday 8:30am - 3:30pm
Sunday 8:30am - 3:30pm

Telephone

(618) 529-4100

Website

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