French River Hatchery Closing After Years of Business

The DNR announced the shut down, after the expenses became too much

Tonight, after 40–plus years of production, the French River Hatchery is about to be no more.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources tells us the shutdown is happening because equipment is failing and the hatchery’s energy consumption is excessive.

The French River Hatchery opened in 1976 with the intent of creating lake trout for Lake Superior.

This became more expensive  than expected over the decades because of the energy used to heat the hatchery’s water from Lake Superior.

Officials say it costs about seven dollars a pound for trout at other hatcheries compared to the French River’s at 27 dollars a pound.

Don Pereira, the Chief of Fisheries for the Minnesota DNR, said “We really cant justify continuing operation here its difficult but the correct decision.”

There were two facets to the decision made. One because governor mark dayton wants all state departments to be more energy efficient. This facility by itself consumes 10 percent of energy production intended for the entire DNR. Two because out of the fish produced, only four percent were released and harvested.

Chris Kavanaugh, the Regional Fisheries Manager, said “It was not an easy decision to finally make because it affects people who work here, it affects people who like to fish rainbow trout we are doing our best to provide alternatives for them.”

Although this decision comes as a difficult one for the DNR, employees are optimistic.