If you happen to be in Northern Michigan this summer and have little ones with you, you should stop at the Michigan Fisheries Welcome Center. It is one of our favorite places to spend an afternoon. (And we really do hear people trying to call in fish by saying, "Here fishy fishy fishy.") If you do stop, be sure to bring a pocket full of dimes and a lunch bag. The dimes are for buying fish food from the "candy" machine and the bag is to hold said food preventing your hands from absorbing the wonderful fishy smell and then reminding you of it for the remainder of the day. (Just trust me on that one, OK.) You might want to bring a picnic lunch, too.
Just a short walk from the Welcome Center are several ponds stocked with various species of trout ready to gobble up whatever is food is offered. Sometimes they get a little aggressive with one another. Look at that first picture again. That splash was made by Mr. Bigger Fish racing to get to the food before Mr. Smaller Fish got there. You should have heard the kids giggling and seen the looks on their faces - it was priceless. I love seeing the wonder in their eyes when we do things like this; it's one of my favorite parts about being a parent.
Just a short walk from the Welcome Center are several ponds stocked with various species of trout ready to gobble up whatever is food is offered. Sometimes they get a little aggressive with one another. Look at that first picture again. That splash was made by Mr. Bigger Fish racing to get to the food before Mr. Smaller Fish got there. You should have heard the kids giggling and seen the looks on their faces - it was priceless. I love seeing the wonder in their eyes when we do things like this; it's one of my favorite parts about being a parent.
Whenever we drive to see Grandpa in Petoskey (Grandma is still in Egypt) S and K always ask, "Can we feed the fish?" Since we have to drive right by we often do stop. On our most recent visit, Papa had secretly brought what seemed like a never-ending supply of dimes. Which was a good thing because S wanted to throw handfuls of food. K, on the other hand, was content throwing in one nugget at a time. Unlike last summer, she didn't ask to swim with the fish once. I was shocked - she is my little water baby. I think she would live in the water if we let her.
Daily tours are available of the actual hatchery buildings, but we are saving that for when the kids are older. You can't do everything when you're only three and four...
Oh fun and cute pictures. Oliver Winery has a pond with very large carp and fish feeding machines. We should stop there when you visit. I keep forgetting to do that when I have had boys. Always in a rush to go on up the road...or back. There is also a state fish hatchery down here just outside of town that I always forget about.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a great place for a visit - thanks for posting about it!
ReplyDeleteoh, that looks like an awesome place to visit!
ReplyDeleteOh how fun! I would love to do some traveling up there. I've really just driven through Petoskey and I've only been to the Island once.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the idea for one of our trips to the island. I remember going past this place on my shopping runs when I lived up there but never had kids so I didn't stop. Now with all the kids we are always looking for stopping spots on our travels to break up the long car rides.
ReplyDeleteMy boy would be in HEAVEN.
ReplyDeleteThat water looks so healthy, lovely for all of those fish.
great shots.
Julia
How great that you take that little detour with your children when you pass the hatchery. I still remember the magic those little fish held when I was a child visiting the hatchery in New Mexico.
ReplyDeleteI'd take fish over eels...eels have teeth. My kids still like to hand feed them, for some reason!
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