What's New VHS discovery puts pressure on anglers to contain its spread Duluth News Tribune (1/31) Now that VHS (viral hemorrhagic septicemia) has been found in waters at four locations on Lake Superior, fishery officials say boaters and anglers need to be increasingly careful not to inadvertently transfer VHS-contaminated waters or fish to inland waters.
Fish-killing virus has invaded Lake Superior Duluth News Tribune (1/28) Lake Superior’s newest troublesome invasion won’t come from a giant Asian carp after all, but from a tiny virus that already has caused big fish die-offs along the eastern Great Lakes.
Warm weather making ice too thin to fish Watertown Daily Times (1/28) After an unusually warm January, most of the ice on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario has melted, leaving many popular ice-fishing spots with only thin layers of ice.
Paint Creek Dam said to be barrier to fish passage The Romeo Observer (1/27) A proposed project to remove the Paint Creek Dam received support from the Oakland Township Board of Trustees. The dam is considered a barrier for fish passage, preventing all fish, mussels and sediment deposits from heading upstream.
New laboratory will study effects of consumer chemicals on aquatic life The Hamilton Spectator (1/26) A new $4.6-million, state-of-the-art research facility at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters will be used to try to better understand the environmental consequences of everyday chemicals and contaminants.
Federal funding for cormorant harassment on Oneida Lake is cut for 2010 The Syracuse Post-Standard (1/24) In contrast to years past, it’s going to be a great summer on Oneida Lake if you’re a cormorant. The cormorant harassment program for Oneida Lake has been cut out of the federal budget for 2010. That means the adult birds, which each eat an average of one pound of fish a day, will have free rein.
Overview
The commercial and sport fishery on the Great Lakes is collectively valued at more than $4 billion annually. The fishery consists of a blend of native and introduced species, some of which are regularly restocked. Common catches include lake trout, salmon, walleye and white fish. The greatest commercial fishing harvests were recorded in 1889 and 1899 at about 147 million pounds. Since then, the fishery has been threatened on three fronts: overfishing, pollution and nonindigenous invasive species. Recent years have seen a major resurgence as walleye fisheries recover in Lake Erie and new salmon fisheries develop in Lake Ontario. The region's inland waters offer many fishing opportunities as well. Blue-ribbon trout streams attract fly fishing enthusiasts and lakes offer a variety of fish, including crappie, bluegill, perch, pike and large- and small-mouth bass.
General Resources TEACH Great Lakes: Fish and Fishing In the Great Lakes region you'll find one of the world's largest freshwater fisheries. Learn about familiar fish species in the lakes, threats to the fish population, and tips on how to keep safe.
Let's Fish Ontario! Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Provides information of fishing in Ontario, such as license and regulations guidelines, fishing statistics, exotic species control, and how to protect fish and the fishing industry.
Data National Listing of Fish and Wildlife Advisories Office of Science and Technology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency A searchable database of state, tribal, and federally issued fish consumption advisories in the United States, District of Columbia, four U.S. Territories, and 12 Canadian provinces and territories.
The National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) NBII is a broad, collaborative program to provide increased access to data and information on the nation's biological resources. Great Lakes related information includes invasive species, fisheries and biodiversity.
Fish of the Great Lakes University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute Color illustrations or photographs and descriptions of many Great Lakes fish species.
Fishes of Wisconsin, by George C. Becker Wisconsin Sea Grant Now available online, Becker discusses Wisconsin waters and fisheries, and gives detailed species accounts of major Wisconsin fish families, including photographs.
Great Lakes Lake Sturgeon U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service This site provides information and a network of links to lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) research conducted by a number of U.S. and Canadian agencies and universities in the Great Lakes region of North America.
Illinois Natural History Survey Fish Collection Illinois Natural History Survey This collection contains approximately 800,000 catalogued specimens, which makes it about the 15th largest collection of preserved fishes, and the 6th largest collection of Neotropical fishes in North America. Represented are about 170 families and over 2,400 species which are all searchable through the web site's database.
Nonindigenous Fish of the Great Lakes University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute Color illustrations or photographs and descriptions of nonindigenous fish species.
Trout and Salmon identification guide Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council Color illustrations show markings useful to identify various salmon and trout.
Commercial Fishing Reports U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Great Lakes Science Center Total pounds and dollar value of commercial catch in U.S. waters of the Great Lakes by year, state, lake and species.
Fisheries Management Great Lakes Fishery Commission Information on fish harvest, habitat, exotic species as well as various databases.
Institute for Fisheries Research Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) The IFR conducts research on fisheries and other aquatic resources of Michigan.
Research Program Great Lakes Fishery Commission Under the Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission has responsibility to formulate a coordinated research program between the United States and Canada.
News Weekly Fishery News Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council A weekly update on news about the fishery in the Great Lakes basin.