This is the last stretch of our tour of Yankton! I have three more posts after this one, and I hope my goal of showing you how interesting your own backyard is has been successful.
This is the last stretch of our tour of Yankton! I have three more posts after this one, and I hope my goal of showing you how interesting your own backyard is has been successful.
Something smells fishy
On my third day in Yankton, I brought my husband with me, and the Gavins Point Fish Hatchery and Aquarium was our first stop that morning.
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Built in 1960, the Hatchery and Aquarium has produced over five billion fish for release in Midwestern waters. Following impacts to loss of habitat due to development and channelization of the Missouri River, the Hatchery and Aquarium rear multiple species of animals. In fact, over 1 million fish will be raised in one year!
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Conservation efforts
As one of 70 National Federal Hatcheries and Fish Technology Centers operated in the United States, Gavins Point Fish Hatchery and Aquarium works on saving endangered and primitive species such as the Pallid Sturgeon and American Paddlefish.
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Offering guided group tours, fish feeding opportunities, and two miles of nature trails, there is also a 10,000-gallon aquarium housing thirteen cement tanks.
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Touring the Hatchery facility, you’ll find eight outdoor raceways and 36 earthen ponds. And on display in the Aquarium are amphibians, reptiles and lots of fish, including catfish, minnows, sunfish, bass, pike, suckers and perch. View the entire list of all the animals at the aquarium on Friends of Gavins Point Fish Hatchery website (https://www.friendsofgavinspointfishhatchery.com/).
There are coin-operated fish food dispensaries all around for visitors to gather up a handful of pellets and feed to the fish in the raceways.
Finally, after you finish your tour and getting your hands dirty, make sure you pick up a souvenier at the gift shop! For those fishing enthusiasts in your family, make sure you pick up a stuffed animal, t-shirt, key-chain, or a magnet on your next visit. And keep up to date on Hatchery and Aquarium news and events via their facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GavinsPointNationalFishHatchery/).
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Final thoughts
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the efforts to protect local wildlife and its ecosystem. We also found the paddlefish quite interesting. We were able to see the juveniles in the indoor tanks up-close.
Plan your visit
Depending on when you come to Yankton, you may not have access to the aquarium, so just be aware of their hours of operation before you plan your trip.
Hatchery Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday: 7:00 am to 3:00 pm
Aquarium Hours of Operation:
May 1st through Labor Day
Monday – Sunday: 7:00 am to 3:00 pm
31227 436th Ave
Yankton, SD 57078
605-665-3352