We have ample numbers of walleye fry and perch eggs, and we look forward to a productive year for those species. In the recent past there have been significant restrictions placed on our ability to stock walleye by the Wisconsin DNR. The restrictions centered around the genetic strain of my fish. Testing that has been done this past winter shows that I have Lake Michigan strain walleye. The demand for large-mouth bass continues to be extremely high. So, we will be striving to meet the requests of our customers for this specie.

We are experimenting with a type of zooplankton organism called rotifers. They are the first food of perch and walleye. Our goal is to find a way to increase the number of these tiny bugs in our ponds. The presence of macro and micro nutrients, temperature, sunlight, and oxygen levels are just some of the many factors that influence the production of phytoplankton and zooplankton. This project will be interesting.

In 2025 we found that the requests for some species of fish exceeded our capacity to produce them. I spoke to other hatcheries in Iowa, Ohio, Missouri, and Arkansas and found out they all have the issue. This is a difficult business to consistently be successful at all species, some years certain ponds just don’t produce as well as one might want. Last year their weren’t enough hour in a day for my son and I to do all the work to produce fish, care for ponds, and make deliveries all over the state, and still have time to call back everyone that tried to contact us. Consequently, in 2026 we will do our best to meet the needs of our customers from 2026 and 2025, though our results may be imperfect. The demand/requests for fish, especially predator fish, is very great.

In the near future, I will be transitioning to part-time involvement as my son, Jason’s role increases.

Thank you for visiting our website. We look forward to helping you meet your aquacultural needs.

~ Jim Lehman