On today's Bass Fishin' for Noobs, we talk with special guest Frank Sladek, Natural Resource Coordinator of the Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery in Topeka, IL.

Being the largest hatchery in Illinois, this hatchery raises over 15 species of fish and stock around 20 million fish annually. The hatchery sits on a 160 acre facility and is staffed with just over a dozen employees.

We learn about the main purpose of the hatchery, which originally was to replace fish that were lost through natural events and to compensate for natural losses. Today it also helps increase sport fishing opportunities for anglers, supplement wild populations and help with the conservation of endangered species.

We learn that there is a lot of thought and research behind what and where fish are being stocked. For the first time in a few decades, the hatchery has gotten Lake Sturgeon, a species they are new to raising but are excited to see how they manage. We also learn that fish don't stay in the hatchery very long, only until fingerling size and then they are released into their new proper habitat.

There's tons more packed in this podcast, one you don't want to miss.

You can check out the hatchery on their facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/JakeWolfHatchery and also get more info at ifishillinois.com

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