The Franklin Club Hatchery

A Legacy of Conservation & Exceptional Fishing

At The Franklin Club, our private hatchery is at the heart of the fishing experience. For more than a century, the Club has raised and cared for its own trout, supporting a private fishery known for quality, care, and year round enjoyment.

Each year, more than 10,000 rainbow trout and brook trout are stocked through the Club’s hatchery program. Members of all ages are encouraged to tour the hatchery, learn about the stages of trout growth, and see firsthand how these fish become part of the waters they enjoy.

For families, young anglers, and lifelong fishermen alike, the hatchery offers a closer connection to the fishery and a deeper appreciation for the care behind every cast.

The hatchery is proudly dedicated to Jim Oosterbroek, a long time Franklin Club member whose involvement, care and commitment helped support this important part of the Club’s fishery. His contributions remain part of the hatchery’s story and reflect the member driven spirit that has helped sustain The Franklin Club for generations.

The Franklin Club Featured Hatchery Videos

 

The Franklin Club hatchery is more than just a stocking program. It is a living part of the Club’s fishing tradition and a defining piece of the member experience. Watch the video for a closer look at how rainbow trout and brook trout are raised at the Club, and how the hatchery continues to support our waters, our members, and our long standing fishing tradition.

Inside The Franklin Club's Rainbow & Brook Trout Hatchery

Watch a short promo video we created about The Franklin Club’s hatchery, showcasing the care and attention that goes into raising and stocking its own rainbow and brook trout.

Fish'n Canada's In-depth Interview with Our Hatchery

Ang and Pete join Chad Davenport, Hatchery and Grounds Manager, for a behind the scenes look at how The Franklin Club raises and stocks its own rainbow and brook trout.

A Tradition More Than a Century in the Making

The Franklin Club hatchery is one of the defining features of our private fishing experience. For generations, it has helped support the waters our members fish, creating a tradition built on knowledge, stewardship, and a respect for trout fishing.

Rather than relying entirely on outside stocking, the Club raises its own fish through a carefully managed hatchery program. This gives The Franklin Club a deeper connection to the fishery and allows us to maintain a high standard of quality from the hatchery to the water.

It is seemingly a quiet part of the Club, but one of the most important.

Stocked Trout Fishing at The Franklin Club

The exceptional trout fishing experience at The Franklin Club is rooted in our private, on site hatchery. By nurturing rainbow and brook trout directly on our property, we sustain a meticulously managed fishery that offers members consistent and rewarding opportunities to fish in every season of the year.

Every year, thousands of trout are carefully raised through our dedicated husbandry program before they are introduced into Franklin Lake, Harrison Pond, and Douglass Pond. This hands on process allows us to maintain a remarkably strong and active private fishery while staying deeply connected to our waters, the health of our fish, and the overall enjoyment of our members.

For our community, the result goes far beyond simple stocking. Our members enjoy an authentic sporting experience shaped by expert care at every single stage, from the cold water hatchery raceways to the very first cast on the lake. Every trout introduced to our waters supports the rich tradition, superb quality, and unique character of fishing at The Franklin Club.

To learn more about our complete angling experience, visit our Fishing at The Franklin Club page.

Stewardship Behind a Premium Fishing Experience

A premium fishing experience does not happen by chance. It is the direct result of thoughtful fishery management, healthy habitats, and a deep commitment to the environment. At The Franklin Club, we actively manage our waters to ensure every cast offers the quality and excitement our members expect.

Our hands on stewardship program ensures a consistently healthy and rewarding environment:

  • Thoughtful Fishery Management: We carefully monitor our aquatic ecosystems to maintain clean, oxygen rich waters that allow our trout populations to thrive naturally.

  • The On Site Hatchery Advantage: By raising both rainbow trout and brook trout directly on our property, we ensure our stocking program is consistent, intentional, and perfectly suited to our lakes.

  • Consistent and Carefilled Stocking: Our dedicated team introduces healthy, energetic fish to our waters at the perfect times, maintaining a robust and active fishery throughout all four seasons.

  • A High Quality Catch: Members experience the direct results of this stewardship on every single visit, from the thrill of a rising trout to the powerful fight of a healthy fish at the end of the line.

Our dedication to active stewardship preserves the natural character of our property and ensures that the legacy of exceptional fishing continues for generations of members to come.

Raising Rainbow Trout & Brook Trout

At The Franklin Club, conservation and stewardship are at the very heart of what we do. Our on site hatchery is dedicated to raising two of the most celebrated trout species in Ontario, ensuring our private waters remain vibrant, healthy, and exceptionally stocked for our members.

Both species are raised on the property with the utmost care before being introduced to our lakes:

  • Rainbow Trout: Known for their incredible strength, speed, and acrobatic fights, these spirited fish bring a dynamic energy to our waters. Landing a rainbow trout offers an unforgettable challenge that rewards anglers from the very first strike all the way to the net.

  • Brook Trout: Often called speckled trout, these fish are prized for their striking colours, natural beauty, and deep connection to classic Canadian cold water fishing. Catching a brook trout is a true privilege and a celebrated part of our historic club tradition.

  • The Hatchery Advantage: By nurturing both species on site from the earliest stages of life, we maintain absolute control over the health and quality of our fishery. This hands on care creates a thriving and resilient aquatic ecosystem.

  • A Commitment to Conservation: Our sustainable rearing practices work in perfect harmony with the surrounding Lake Simcoe watershed and the protected Oak Ridges Moraine, preserving the natural environment for future generations of families.

By shaping the fishing experience with care right from the very beginning, we provide our members with a world class, sustainable fishery that they can fish with pride.

From Hatchery to Clubs Private Waters

Inside The Franklin Club hatchery, trout move through carefully managed stages of growth before becoming part of the Club’s private fishery. The process begins with eggs and continues as young trout develop into fry, fingerlings, and strong, well developed fish ready for the Club’s waters.

Some of our trout spend several years in the hatchery, depending on their role within the program. A key part of this is the Club’s brood stock, made up of mature rainbow trout and brook trout that help support the next generation of fish. Some of the larger brood stock can reach up to 5+ years of age, continuing a hatchery tradition that has been part of The Franklin Club for more than a century.

Once released into the Club’s private waters, the trout become part of the natural ecosystem. From there, they feed, grow, and develop naturally, supported by the habitat and nourishment found throughout the Club’s lakes and ponds.

This connection between hatchery care and natural growth is one of the reasons the fishing experience at The Franklin Club feels so distinct and rewarding.