FINS: Friant Interactive Nature Site
FINS: Friant Interactive Nature Site
The Friant Interactive Nature Site (FINS) is a free, family-friendly nature area in Friant, California, about 12 miles north of Fresno. Run by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, FINS is the visitor area of the San Joaquin Hatchery, a state-run facility that raises trout and inland salmon. It sits just downstream of Friant Dam on the San Joaquin River, where families can see fish up close and learn how the state helps protect California’s rivers.
Location 17372 Brook Trout Drive, Friant, CA 93626 Phone: (559) 822-2374 About 1 mile below Friant Dam at Millerton Lake, and a 15 to 20 minute drive from Fresno.
About the Hatchery
The San Joaquin Hatchery raises young fish and releases them into rivers and lakes across the state. This keeps fishing strong for families and helps protect native fish for the future.
Fish have been raised along this part of the San Joaquin River for more than 100 years. In 1921, the state built its first hatchery on the river, near Friant, after Kerckhoff Dam blocked the places where fish once laid their eggs. In 1932, with help from the Fresno Sportsmen’s Club, a bass hatchery was built on the same land where today’s hatchery stands. After Friant Dam created Millerton Lake, the state spent two years, starting in 1948, testing whether the lake’s cold water could grow healthy fish. In 1953, the Wildlife Conservation Board set aside $750,000 to build a new hatchery, and it opened in the mid-1950s with 36 fish ponds. Twelve more ponds were added in 1960. Today it is one of the largest hatcheries in California.
What to Do at FINS
– See fish at every size in the hatchery tanks, from tiny babies to fish almost ready for release.
– Feed the fish and watch the water churn as they rush to eat.
– Walk the Small Fry Children’s Discovery Trail, where kids play games that show how a trout finds food and hides from predators.
– Explore the large tile mosaic of the San Joaquin River watershed with the free scavenger hunt guide.
– Stroll the San Joaquin River Parkway Trail along the water.
– Relax in the picnic areas and native plant gardens.
Who It’s For
FINS is a great fit for families with young children, grandparents and grandkids, school groups, homeschool families, and anyone curious about fish and nature.
Programs for Kids
The hatchery supports Fishing in the City, a free fall fishing event for kids ages 5 to 15 at Woodward Park in Fresno, and Trout in the Classroom, a program that lets students raise trout in school. Check the Fish and Wildlife website for current dates and sign-up details.
Visitor Tips
Arrive in the morning, when it is cooler and the hatchery building is open. Bring water, snacks, and sunscreen, because summers get very hot. Restrooms close at 3:00 PM, and visitors staying later should park in the upper lot. For a weekend trip, camp at Lost Lake Park next door and take the short trail hike to FINS.
Sources:
California Department of Fish and Wildlife – San Joaquin Hatchery: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Hatcheries/San-Joaquin
California Department of Fish and Wildlife – History of San Joaquin Hatchery: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Hatcheries/San-Joaquin/History
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FINS: Friant Interactive Nature Site
The Friant Interactive Nature Site (FINS) is a free, family-friendly nature area in Friant, California, about 12 miles north of Fresno. Run by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, FINS is the visitor area of the San Joaquin Hatchery, a state-run facility that raises trout and inland salmon. It sits just downstream of Friant Dam on the San Joaquin River, where families can see fish up close and learn how the state helps protect California’s rivers.
Location 17372 Brook Trout Drive, Friant, CA 93626 Phone: (559) 822-2374 About 1 mile below Friant Dam at Millerton Lake, and a 15 to 20 minute drive from Fresno.
About the Hatchery
The San Joaquin Hatchery raises young fish and releases them into rivers and lakes across the state. This keeps fishing strong for families and helps protect native fish for the future.
Fish have been raised along this part of the San Joaquin River for more than 100 years. In 1921, the state built its first hatchery on the river, near Friant, after Kerckhoff Dam blocked the places where fish once laid their eggs. In 1932, with help from the Fresno Sportsmen’s Club, a bass hatchery was built on the same land where today’s hatchery stands. After Friant Dam created Millerton Lake, the state spent two years, starting in 1948, testing whether the lake’s cold water could grow healthy fish. In 1953, the Wildlife Conservation Board set aside $750,000 to build a new hatchery, and it opened in the mid-1950s with 36 fish ponds. Twelve more ponds were added in 1960. Today it is one of the largest hatcheries in California.
What to Do at FINS
– See fish at every size in the hatchery tanks, from tiny babies to fish almost ready for release.
– Feed the fish and watch the water churn as they rush to eat.
– Walk the Small Fry Children’s Discovery Trail, where kids play games that show how a trout finds food and hides from predators.
– Explore the large tile mosaic of the San Joaquin River watershed with the free scavenger hunt guide.
– Stroll the San Joaquin River Parkway Trail along the water.
– Relax in the picnic areas and native plant gardens.
Who It’s For
FINS is a great fit for families with young children, grandparents and grandkids, school groups, homeschool families, and anyone curious about fish and nature.
Programs for Kids
The hatchery supports Fishing in the City, a free fall fishing event for kids ages 5 to 15 at Woodward Park in Fresno, and Trout in the Classroom, a program that lets students raise trout in school. Check the Fish and Wildlife website for current dates and sign-up details.
Visitor Tips
Arrive in the morning, when it is cooler and the hatchery building is open. Bring water, snacks, and sunscreen, because summers get very hot. Restrooms close at 3:00 PM, and visitors staying later should park in the upper lot. For a weekend trip, camp at Lost Lake Park next door and take the short trail hike to FINS.
Sources:
California Department of Fish and Wildlife – San Joaquin Hatchery: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Hatcheries/San-Joaquin
California Department of Fish and Wildlife – History of San Joaquin Hatchery: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Hatcheries/San-Joaquin/History