The Drayton Plains State Fish Hatchery was the second fish hatchery opened by the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources (previously known as the Michigan Conservation Department). It was established in 1903 and originally named Drayton Plains Station. The name was officially changed to Drayton Plains State Fish Hatchery in 1934. The Drayton Plains State Fish Hatchery was opened along the Clinton River on Mill Street (later Hatchery Road)in what was then Drayton Plains, Michigan (now Waterford Township). Its purpose was to raise bass fingerlings on its 18-acre site.