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THOMPSON -- Thompson State Fish Hatchery produces close to a million trout and salmon.

They also hatch between 12 and 14 million Walleye there a year.

A lot of the fish raised are Great Lakes fish, and trucks are going out almost every day to release the fish.

The hatchery's mission is to keep fishing at a high level in the state.

There are jars at the facility that are filled with about 250,000 walleye eggs.

“It's just very fulfilling to get out and to take that tiny egg and then to raise it into an eight or nine inch fish in a year's time and release that fish into the wild," says Fisheries Technician, Lon Brinkman.

It'll take about 28 days for a young fish - or fry, to emerge.

Another phase here at the facility is called the tank room. There are Brown Trout and also Chinook Salmon there.

The outside raceways are filled with Brown Trout and Steelhead Trout.

After they've reached a target size, they'll get sucked out of the water and go into a special truck where they'll be driven to a new watery home.

Officials say it's very meaningful to share their work with others.  

“When you come in you can go for a self-tour and learn everything about the hatchery,” says Fisheries Biologist, Randy Espinoza. “And if you see one of our guys walking around, by all means, ask them a question and they'll fill you in."

This facility is one of six hatcheries the state of Michigan operates.