Tours

Tour the largest indoor fish hatchery in Ohio! Tours include educational exhibits and displays, trout feeding frenzy, sturgeon petting zoo, live animal exhibits with interactive critter displays.

Self-guided tours are free and available to all of our guests during regular business hours. For those wanting more of an in-depth, educational experience, we offer guided tours by our experienced staff. Learn about the different phases of fish growth and what is involved in producing our stock. See more details below. Call us today to schedule your tour.

Consultations are not part of the guided tour. If you are interested in pursuing aquaculture and need more in-depth advice and answers, please call to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dave – Click here for more information.

Self Guided Tours

We’ve been welcoming visitors to our farm for over 25 years. Exploring our farm is fun for all ages and it’s free! While you’re here, visit our Sturgeon Petting Zoo to get up close and personal with rare, endangered fish. Participate in a Trout Feeding Frenzy and watch them splash in excitement as you feed them by hand. We have a large variety of Fish & Critter Displays in the hatchery and at our retail store. Self-guided Tours are encouraged during regular business hours. For folks that want a more in-depth tour of our hatchery, we offer group Tours by reservation.

Download a Map of the Farm

• Monday-Saturday starting at 10am Year Round – we close at 6pm
• Free of charge (Although the fish feed machines take quarters)
• Feel free to ask our crew questions as you tour the farm
• We have picnic tables (open air and/or under tents) for Tour Group members – feel free to bring your own picnic lunches
• Picnic lunches are available – see below
• Our Retail Store is open to see more fish displays and purchase snacks, gifts, and souvenirs

Guided Tours

• Year Round – Exception: No tours during the month of September
• Pre-scheduled Guided Tours are available Monday-Saturday starting at 10am – last tour starts at 4:30pm
• Tour a portion of our Indoor Fish Hatchery, Rainbow Project, Koi Ponds, Garden Pond Plant facilities and Retail Store with a Freshwater Farms employee
• Behind-the-Scenes Tour is approximately 45 minutes
• Picnic lunches are available – see below
• Schedule two weeks in advance. Pricing as follows:

Picnic Lunches

• Picnic tables are available free of charge (both open air and/or under tents in case of inclement weather)
• Tour Group may bring their own picnic lunches – drinks and snacks can be purchased in our Retail Store
• Picnic Lunches can be PreOrdered for the Tour Group for $8.00 each (cold hearty sandwich, chips, cookie and drink). Lunch orders must be placed one week in advance of the tour date – common food allergies can be accommodated. Minimum order of 12 or more $8 lunches
• One free lunch is provided for the Teacher (or Tour Guide or Bus Driver) with lunch orders for 10 or more persons

Virtual Aquaculture Field Trip

Streamed live on Apr 17, 2024
Middle school science and environmental, biology, animal science, agribusiness, and business teachers: virtually visit Freshwater Farms with your students for an insider look at the science of aquaculture. See where our food comes from! Not all fish are caught from ponds, rivers, and lakes.

Dr. David Smith, marine biologist and Ohio entrepreneur, will take your class behind the scenes to see:

• management of controlled ecosystems
• how sustainable feed impacts energy cycles
• advantages (and disadvantages) of farm-raised fish

Show your students the business side of maintaining a fish farm, including: sources of animal feed; global aquaculture; ecosystem dynamics; how to make a small business profitable and successful.

Resources to accompany this trip available at: http://tinyurl.com/2a5azbag