Culver Fish Hatcheries
 |
The fish hatcheries were located on the very easterly end of the
Indian Trails -
as these pictures depicts. The 1922 plat map shows the drive way for the Jungle Hotel |
and the aerial view of the fish hatcheries shows the - drive way again to
the - on the very east edge of the Indian Trails. |
 |
1933 Mar 8 - Chamber of Commerce Boosts Fish Hatchery
The Culver voted a $50 contrubution to the fish hatchery being constructed by the
Maxinkuckee Fish
and Game Club. The need of financial help was explained of financial help was
explained by the Club president,
Dr. C. G. Mackey,
at the Chamber's meeting Monday noon and the members unanimously voted this help to the
community project...
1933 - Mar 15 - Rapid Strides at New Fish Hatchery
Get Flowing Well
State Conservation Official Inspects Work and Declares Prospect Favorable
The fish hatchery of the Maxinkuckee Fish and Gane Club is rapifly taking definite
shape and local citizens can get a good idea of how the project will look when
finished
A fine flowing well has been finished and it is planned to drill one or two more wells
at once.
Two of the ponds will be completed nexf week, the workmen now being engaged in digging
the ponds deeper and building higher bank
Attention will then be turning to improving and beautifying the grounds, making the
hatchery a beauty spot as well as of practical use.
The two ponds cover about one and one-half acres, allowing the volume to handle a large
number of fish. It is possible that a third pond can not be built at this time unless
additional funds are received at once.
The club is in need of immediate financial assistance as the response of volunteer labor
has been greater than contributiond of money but there is considerable of the project
that cannot be handled except by the expenditure of money sand the club's treasury has
been drained by the work done so far.
Water will be turned into the ponds about the middle of Apeil and fish will be placed in
the ponds at once. The fish will spawn about the middle of May and will be kept in the
hatchery until along in September when the fingerlings will have reached a length
varying from two to six inches. Then they will be ready for placing in larger bodies of
water.
An official of the State conservation department looked over the hatchery Monday and
declared the prospects indicated a hatchery as good as any in the state.
An invitation has been issued by the Culver Military Academy for all workers on the
hatchery to be the guests of the Academy at dinner Friday noon as a special treat in
recognition of the work these men are doing.
1933 - Mar 18 - CULVER FISH HATCHERY IS PROGRESSING RAPIDLY
Culver, Ind., Mar. 18. The Culver fish hatchery, being built by the Maxinkuckee Fish
and Game club, is moving rapidly along so that citizens can already get an idea of what
the project will look like when finished.
A fine flowing well has been finished and it is planned to drill one or two more at once.
Two of the ponds will be completed next week. Attention will then be turned to
improving and beautifying the grounds.
The club is in need of immediate financial assistance as the response of volunteer labor
has been greater than contributions of money. But there is considerable of the project
that cannot be handled except by the expenditure of money and the club's treasury has
been drained by th----e work done so far.
Water will be turned into the ponds the middle of April and fish will be placed in the
ponds at once. The fish will spawn about the middle of May and will be kept in the
hatchery until along in September when the fingerlings will have reached a length varying
from two to six inches. Then they will be ready for placing in larger bodies of water.
An official of the State Conservation Department looked over the hatchery Monday and
declared the prospects indicated a hatchery as good as any in the state.
An invitation has been issued by the Culver Military Academy for all workers on the
hatchery to be guests of the Academy at dinner Friday noon of this week at the
Canteen as a special treat in recognition of the work these men are doing. - The
News-Sentinel, Saturday, March 18, 1933
1933 - Apr. 2 - Maxinkuckee Hatchery Work Near Completion
{Special to the Indianapolis Star} - Culver, Ind. April 2 - work has
been progressing rapidly on the new hatchery being built ny the newly
organized Maxinkuckee Fish and Game Club at Culver and two ponds will
be completed next week
Water will be run into the ponds this month and the fish will spawn about
the middle of May. This will be kept in the hatchery until September, when
they will be put in Lake Maxinkuckee
All work on the hatchery has been volunteered. It was plannerd to build a
third pond but due to lack of funds this may not be finished. The project
has been financed thus far by donations. - Indianapolis Star
1933 - Apr 26 -FISH AND MONEY NEEDED THIS WEEK BY FISH HATCHERY
Few Days Left Before Closed Season Starts.
Work on the two ponds at the fish hatchery of the Maxinkuckee Fish and Game Club
has been completed, and the fish are being put in the ponds as rapidly as received.
However, the club is still short of the number needed and a special plea has been
issued for more bass with which to stock the ponds.
The fish season closes May 1, so only a few days remain for securing the much needed
bass.
It is doubtful if a permit will be given the club by the state to catch fish for the
ponds out of season.
The club is also short of its financial goal, according to Dr. C. G. Mackey, president
of the club, who reports that $362 have been collected, while the ponds cost $550.
Those wishing to make do nations are urged to do so at once, sending checks to
George Stabenow, treasurer.
To the list of those helping with the construction of the ponds the names of
George
McGaffey and C.
L. Shively are to be added for labor,
Alfred Cromley for
furnishing a truck, and
John M. Milner for supplies.
1933 - Apr 26 - Summer Residents Interest In Fish Hatchery
The following are a few of the letters received by officers of the Maxinkuckee
Fish and Gane Club from summer cottagers on Lake Maxinkuckee and indicate
the interest and suppor accorded by them to the new fish hatchery.
D. H. Dresser The new fish hatchery will be quite an addition and promotoin
to the welfare of and to be congratulated on their lake and Culver. The citiens
enterprise in undertaking this venture. The Culver Citizen stated the other
day that Fred VanSchoiack caught bass weighing around for and six pounds through
the ice and if he is going to continue along that line, it is up to the hatchery
to produce fish.
W. B. Wilson - I am quite in sympathy with the project and wish you success
E. C.
McDonald Though I personally never fish in the lake in spite of my summers there,
I nevertheless am in hearty sympathy with the program you have in view and hope you
and your associates will be highly successful
Forrest E. Jump I am glad to
know that steps are b eing taken to establish a fish hatchery and to restock ths lake,
for there is no question but what your club is right in the statement that for the past
severl years the fishing in Maxinkuckee has declined. I only hope that you will be able
to raise the amount necessary to carry out this work and will receive the cooperation
and support enabling you to carry it out.
Mrs. Henry B. Heywood -
As a friend of Lake Maxinkuckee I am interested in matters pertaining to its welfare.
I am glad to hear of the fish hatchery project.
1933 - May 31 Additional Contributions to the Fish Hatchery
The Following additional contributions hace been recived by the Maxinkuckee Fish and
Game Club for the new Hatchery.
H. B. Keller - $1.00
R. O. Leonard - $1.00
Cleve Crabb - $2.50
R. Ragsdale - $2.50
J. P. Walter - $5.00
Gen Gignilliat - $10.00
Bert Ivey $10.00
Geo. Vonnegut $5.00
Ray Bell $3.50
Harvey Shafer $15.00
A Springer $2.00
Otto Richter $2.00
Russell Fisher $2.00
S. E. Perkins $5.00
Paul Davis $10.00
Wayne VonEhr $1.00
C. E. Hayes $1.00
Robt. H. Wolfe $10.00
Friend $5.00
H. H. Rice $15.00
Milton Wysong, educational director of the state conservation department, was in Culver
last week looking over the new fish hatchery and was enthusiastice over the project.
He declared the site was one of the finest in the state and should prove of great
benefit to Lake Maxinkuckee.
1933 - Oct 18 - Fish hatchery Puts 22,500 Fingerlings in Maxkinkuckee
Local Project Has Good reslults First Year.
The ponds of the Culver fish hatchery were seined Tuesday and 22,500 three inch large
mouth bass fingerlings were placed in Lake Maxinkuckee.
These fish represent the dividend for the first year on the investment in the
hatchery, which is under the auspices of the Maxinkuckee Fish and Game Club.
The project started last spring with only $22.50 on hand, and through public donations
of money and abor, one pond was completely built, another almost finsihed while a
third was only started and must wait further contributions before it can be completed.
If this pond is built it is estmated that an aditional _0,000 fish will be raised each
year.
Ready in 1935
The fish this year were of unusual quality and untiform size and will be ready for
fisherman's skill a year from next spring. It is estimated that of the fish the size of
the local hatchery has produced this year,
75 to 85 persent will be caught on the hook and ine as they are now large enough to take care of
themselves from the other fish.
The crop this year definitely makes the hatchery a sucess and those in charge of the
project are to be complimented on their work. The only discouraging feature was the
theft of some of the large fish during the summer by persons who didn't seem to realize
that this is a community project and deserves good sportsmanship by everyone.
State conservation officals have inspected the ponds and decalre the location an ideal
one, both from the point of sufficient water supply as well as good marine life and
plant food.
1933 - Oct 25 - Work Well Done
The men who gaave so much time to the Maxinkuckee Fish and Game Club fish hatchery are to
be commended upon the success of the project. These men started with nothing by an idea and
ended the season with 22,500 fingerling to repopulate the lake as well as one complete
fish pond, one almost done and a third just started.
These men worked all summer without public acclaim or any sort of renumeration their only
reward being the satisfaction of doing a job well and the improvement of the fishing in
Lake Maxinkuckee.
The club plans to complete the second and third ponds next pring and the success of the
hatchery this year warrants the support of all those who have the interests of the lake
at heart.
1934 - Feb 7 - Fish Hatchery
develops from an Idea
1934 May 16 - Drilling Hatchery Well - Drilling on a well at the fish hatcher was started the first of
the week. This will will be six inch in size abd uts to furnish water for the upper pond. The drouth
has furnished quite a problem for the officers of the Maxinkuckee Fish and Fame Club, who decided to
add the well as a source of water supply for the three ponds
1934 - Oct 3 - Fish Taken Out of Ponds; Lake Stocked - Abour 30,000 fish were taken out of the fish
hatchery of the Maxinkuckee FIsh and Fame CLub Tuesday and place in Lake Maxinkuckee. Two ponds
were emptied and the thirf wiil ve seined in two weeks. 22,000 of the fish were of the large mouth
variety and 8,000 asnall mouth. They measured between three and four inches in length. The fish were
sold to the state conservation department.
1934 - Oct 10 - State Paper
Tells Of Local Hatchery
1935 - Feb 6 - Fish Club Ask a For Parent Bass For Pond
The Maxinkuckee Fish and Game Club is asking the public to co-operate in
securing parent black bass for the fish ponds. As black bass are cuaght they
may be placed in the pond bext to the lake and the donor requested to so
notify Clarence Behmer or an officer of the club. During the past week black
bass have been places in the pond by Jack Milner, Sam Strang, CHarles
Cowen and Harrison Rice.
Attention is also called to the membership drive and that the dues are only
25 cents per yeat. It is urged that every person interested in the lake join the
Maxinkuckee FIsh and club at once. ANy officer of the club can issue a
mebership card
1935 - Apr 34 - Macinkuckee Fish and Game Club
... The Maxinkuckee FIsh aind Game CLub will take the parent bass out of
the winter pond Thursday morning, weather permitting. These will be put
in the other two ponds and members are asked to vome to the hatcher and
help with the work.
1935 - Oct 16 - Maxinkuckee Club Adds 33,000 Fish to Lake
With the annual draining of the ponds of the Maxinkuckee FIsh an Fame
Club fish hatchery last week, 33,000 small fish were added to the
population of Lake Maxinkuckee. of the number, 1,000 were sic inch small
moth bass, while the balance were of the four inch large mouth variety.
1935 - Oct 9 - Fish club Members to Transfer Fish Friday - Members of the Maxinkuckee Fish and Game
Club are requested to be at the fish ponds on the morning of Friday, Oct. 11 at 9:00 o'clock to
assist in removing the fish from the rearing ponds and placing them in Lake Maxinkuckee. It is urgea
that all members be present and show their interest in this project
The uppermost pond was used for fingerlings, and as the fish grew they were released into the middle
pond, and then finally a bit more larger into the third pond before finally being released into the
lake.
An old Culver native June (Garn) Napier Sirus remembers going there and catching turtles along with
other kids of the community
1936 - Jan 22 - Fish Club Purschases Land for New Projects
Twenty acres of land have been pruchased from J. E. Dennie by the
Maxinkuckee FIsh and Game Club and will be the scene of and expansion
of the organization's activities.
The land is located north west if town and includes lake botton terrain that will
be suitable for a fish pond...
1936 - Mar 25 - Building Four New Fish Ponds West of Town
Four new fish ponds are being contructed by the Consolidated Fish Hatchery
on the land west of Culver recently purchased by the Maxinkuckee Game
Club.
Fifteen acres were bought of J. E. Dennie and ofrm an ideal location. The
site is adjacent to State Road 10 and has natural drainage with a ditch
running along the edge of the land.
Flowing well, which are being drilled, will furnish an ample supply of water.
The ponds will be much larger than those now used by the Maxinkuckee Hatchery
and will furnish a large supply of fidh each year for restocking purposes. The ponds
will average one and a half acres to a pond.
A high spot in the club's land will provide an ideal site for a club house and
still leave room for a trap shooting range.
1936 - May 20 - MOVED OLD SHACK The, refreshment shack on the Buffington corner of Lake Shore Drive
and Forest Place has been moved to the new fish hatchery west of town where it will serve as a store
shed.
1936 - Sep 30 - Fish Club Raises Big Supply of Stock Fish
The largest supple of fish in the history of the Macinkuckee fish and Game
Club has been raised during the past year, it was reported after the annual
drainage of the ponds this last weel. The clubd far exceeded the quota set by
the State Department of Conservation. The fish were placed in Lake
Maxinkuckee where they should make any an angler happy in another
season.
1936 - Oct 7 - Fish Clubs Report
Banner Season here....
The hatchery became operational by the late spring and remained until a new hatchery was
constructed next to the old
American
Legion Post on Indiana 10 [the legion property is now or was owned by McCarty's]. In the
biography of Bruce Odgen it is stated that 16 acres of land was purchased off the north end of
his property by the State of Indiana for the fish hatcheries.
This area is shown by the following maps the first being a cropped section of the 1936 plat map
showing no conservation area and the second a 1948 showing the 16 acres marked "conservation".
1937 - Feb 17 - Fish Club Buys Land For Six More Ponds
Seventeen acres of land have been purchased from Bruce Ogden by the Maxinkuckee Fish and Game Club
for an expansion of the fish hatchery west of town on Road 10.
The land is adjacent to the present hatchery.
Officers of the club plan to build six more ponds on this land in the spring, giving the club a
larger production of small fish for replenishing Lake Maxinkuckee and other waters in the state.
1937 - Jul 28 - Ex-Conservation Head Praises Local Fish Ponds
George Burg, former director of the fish and game bureau of the indiana
Department of Conservation, inspected the local fish hatchery last week and
complimented the officers of the Maxinkuckee FIsh and Game CLub on the
fine set-up.
Burg was the "daddy" of the present program for developing the fishing
interest in the state and was a pioneer in the movement. He is not outing on
the Tippecanoe river.
1937 - Nov 17 - Fish Club Adds
Quarter Million Fish to Lake....
1938 - Nov 16 - Over
Quarter MIllion Fish Planted by Clubs...
1946 - Feb 20 - State Accepts Local Fish Ponds
 |
View of a part of the fish ponds the State Conservation
Department will operate. The caretaker's house is at the right |
The acceptance of the 85 acre preserve on State Road 10 west of Culver from the Maxinkuckee
Fish and Game Club has been announced by the Indiana Conservation Commission
The fish ponds in the preserve will afford the Conservation Departmert opportunity to conduct
reasearch on fish reating and stocking methods, Milton Matter conservation director, stated.
The Maxinkuckee tract will be used by Dr. William E. Ricker, director of the lake and stream
survey, for the study of fish growth and stocking.
With acceptance of the gift, offered several months ago by Culver sportsmen who have been
directing the affairs of the local club, the Conservation Department assumed a $3,900 mortagage
on the property which includes a house as well and the fish rearing ponds.
While the Maxinkuckee Fish and Game club will not operate the ponds any longer, according to
Russell Fisher, president of the club, it will continue to raise pheasants and stress
reforestation.
The Gun club restains it club house and 24 acres, allowing that area to be used for recreation
purposes
1948 - Jul 14 - Real Eastate transfers
Town of Culver to Maxinkuckee & Game Club Inc., tracts in 18-32-1 and 7-32-1
Town of Culver to Indiana Dept. of Conservation, tracts in 18-32-1
State Exchange Bank and State Exchange FInance Co. to Maxinkuckee & Game Club Inc., tracts 18-32-1
Maxinkuckee & Game Club Inc. to Indiana Dept. of Conservation, tracts 18-31-1
Bruce and Isabelle Ogden to to Indiana Dept. of Conservation, same (tracts 18-31-1)
State Exchange Bank and State Exchange FInance Co. to Ind. Dept. of Cons., same (tracts 18-31-1)
1948 - Sep 1 - Maxinkuckee Fish & Game Club Inc. to the American Legion and
Community Building Association Memorial Building Association of Culver, northeast
quarter of northeast quarter 18-32-1 north of Road 10 exce-t 30 rods off west side
24 acres also south 33 rods lot 1 in 7-32-1 9 acres
1953 - April 8 - Fish Hatchery Back In Production At Culver
Maxinkuckee Fish Hatchery on Ind. 10 west of Culver will be reactivated for the production
of fish for stocking in nearby lakes and streams.
Director Doxie Moore of the Indiana Department of Conservation has announced.
This hatchery of ponds was turned over to the state in 1946 by the Maxinkuckee Fish and Game
Club and since has been used as an experimental station only, Director Moore said. "It is our
purpose to rear fish for stocking purposes and under the new Conservation Department policy
to make such practical changes in growing fish and game at the least possible cost to the
taxpayer," Moore added.
Labor and equipment from Bass Lake Hatchery, 11 miles west, will be used there.
Large and smallmouth bass, bluegills, red-eared sunfish and crappies will be reared, Melvin O.
Scott, supervisor of state hatcheries, said. - Steuben Republican Angola, Indiana
1953 - April 8 - State Reactivating Maxinkuckee Fish Hatchery On Road 10
Maxinkuckee Fish Hatchery on State Road 10 west of Culver will be reactivated for the
production of fish for. stocking in nearby lakes and streams, Director Doxie Moore of
the Indiana Department of Conservation has announced.
This hatchery of nine ponds was turned over to the state in 1946 by the Maxinkuckee
Fish and Game Club and since has been used as an experimental station only, Director
Moore said. For several years the ponds were operated by the local post of the American
Legion.
"It is our purpose to rear fish for stocking purposes and under the new conservation
department policy to make such practical changes in growing fish and game at the least
possible cost to the taxpayers, "Moore added.
Lawrence Bennett, present custodian at the hatchery, will be retained and labor and
equipment from Bass Lake Hatchery, 11 miles west, will be used there. Large and
smallmouth bass, bluegills, sunfish and ea crappies will be reared, Melvin 0. Scott,
supervisor of state hatcheries, said. - Citizen
1957 - Maxinkuckee Fish and Games Club takes over Maxinkuckee State Fish
Hatchery. |
 |
.
View of as of 2020 - 27.014 - Town of Culver |
 |