Preserving the Wild: How Salmon Stocking at Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery Reflects Fish Lake Co.’s Core Values

At the heart of every great outdoor adventure is a respect for nature—and the knowledge that protecting it ensures future generations can experience the same wonder we do today. That’s why Fish Lake Co. is proud to celebrate the ongoing work of the Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery, an Illinois-based facility that’s been stocking waterways with salmon and other native fish species for decades.

A Legacy of Restoration and Stewardship

Tucked in the rolling countryside of central Illinois, Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery is more than just a hatchery—it’s a hub for conservation, education, and ecological restoration. One of its key initiatives? The salmon stocking program, which helps revive dwindling fish populations in lakes and rivers across the Midwest. Each year, thousands of Chinook and Coho salmon are raised at the hatchery before being released into the wild, bolstering ecosystems and providing incredible recreational fishing opportunities.

This work isn’t just good for anglers—it’s vital for maintaining biodiversity, healthy waterways, and the future of outdoor sports.

Where Conservation Meets Craft

At Fish Lake Co., we believe in gear with a purpose. Every fleece, shirt, and base layer we design is meant to empower people to explore the outdoors responsibly and comfortably—without compromising on sustainability.

Like the team at Jake Wolf Hatchery, we’re committed to protecting wild spaces. We align with their values in several key ways:

• Stewardship Over Exploitation: Just as the hatchery replenishes fish stocks responsibly, we use sustainable sourcing and ethical production methods to reduce our environmental impact.

• Education and Access: We believe that knowledge is key to conservation. That’s why we support outdoor education initiatives and design our apparel to make nature more accessible—for everyone.

• Protecting What Matters: Whether it’s UPF-rated sun shirts like our Men’s Sol Shirt, or weather-ready fleeces like the Pursuit Jacket, our gear is made for those who want to enjoy the outdoors while respecting and preserving it.

Supporting the Ecosystem That Supports Us

Anglers, hikers, and outdoor lovers depend on healthy, thriving ecosystems. And organizations like the Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery help make that possible. At Fish Lake Co., we see ourselves as part of that same circle—designing gear not just for performance, but for purpose.

If you’ve ever stood knee-deep in a stream at sunrise or felt the tug of a salmon on your line, you know what’s at stake. That’s why we support and uplift efforts like salmon stocking—because we’re not just outfitting the adventure, we’re helping protect the places where those adventures begin.

Photo credit Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery and Illinois Department of Natural Resources.